Chapter 7 Exponential and Logarithmic Functions - 7.2 Graph Exponential Decay Functions - 7.2 Exercises - Skill Practice - Page 489: 1

15 percent decrease

The initial amount is the coefficient, which is 1250. The decay factor is the amount inside the parenthesis, which is .85. The percent decrease equals $1-decay\ factor=1-.85=.15$. Multiplying this by 100, we see that the overall percent decrease is 15 percent.