How do you find the percent decrease from 80 to 50?

To find the percent decrease from a starting value to a new value, you can use the percent change formula, which is:

[

\text{Percent Decrease} = \left( \frac{\text{Original Value} - \text{New Value}}{\text{Original Value}} \right) \times 100

]

In this case, the original value is 80 and the new value is 50.

First, calculate the difference between the original and new values:

[

\text{Difference} = 80 - 50 = 30

]

Next, divide this difference by the original value:

[

\frac{30}{80} = 0.375

]

Now, to express this as a percent, multiply by 100:

[

0.375 \times 100 = 37.5%

]

Thus, the percent decrease from 80 to 50 is 37.5%. This calculation confirms why the first choice is the correct answer. The calculations show the stepwise process of deriving the percent decrease, emphasizing the significance of both the original and new values in this context.