Chapter 4 - Proportions, Percents, and Solving Inequalities - 4.2 - Percents and Problem Solving - Problem Set 4.2 - Page 156: 42

The percentage change in the number of applicants is 12%. This is positive, so it is a percent increase.

To find the percentage change, we use the following formula: percentage change = $\frac{New\ amount\ -\ Original\ amount}{Original\ amount}$ $\times$ 100% This year, 504 students applied, while last year 450 applied. So, the new value is 504 while the old one is 450. Substituting these values into the formula yields: percentage change = $\frac{504\ -\ 450}{450}$ $\times$ 100% percentage change = $\frac{54}{450}$ $\times$ 100% percentage change = 0.12 $\times$ 100% percentage change = 12% Because the percentage change is a positive number, it is a percent increase.