There are some special words for numbers, fractions and percentages.

Look at the following table which shows a number in different years (1990-1995) :

You could describe the above table using numbers, fractions or percentages:

• The number went up by 600, from 1200 to 800. (Number)
• The number went up by half, from 1200 to 1800. (Fraction)
• The figure went up by 50%, from 1200 to 1800. Percentage)
• The figure went up 50%, to 1800. (Percentage)

Use “trebled,” “-fold,” and “times:”

• The number doubled between 1992 and 1994.
• The number trebled between 1994 and 1996.
• The figure quadrupled from 1996 to 1998
• There was a twofold increase between 1992 and 1994.
• The figure went up sixfold between 1992 and 1996.
• The figure in 1996 was three times the 1992 figure.
• The figure in 1998 was four times the 1996 figure.

Use Fractions:

• Between 1992 and 1994, the figure fell by one-fifth.
• Between 1994 and 1996, the number dropped by a half.
• The figure in 1998 was one-tenth the 1992 total.

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• Types of Graphs