Answer
The percentage change for the attendance between the two class periods is -12.5%, so it is a percent decrease.
Work Step by Step
The first time 32 students were in class. The second time, 28 students were in class.
To find the percentage change, we use the following formula:
percentage change = $\frac{New\ amount\ -\ Original\ amount}{Original\ amount}$ $\times$ 100%
The original amount is 32, and the new amount is 28. We substitute these values into the formula to obtain:
percentage change = $\frac{28\ -\ 32}{32}$ $\times$ 100%
percentage change = $\frac{-4}{32}$ $\times$ 100%
percentage change = -0.125 $\times$ 100%
percentage change = -12.5%
