OTWONO LABS / NOTEBOOK
Compare numbers with context
Learn one step at a time, with examples, practice and a place for your questions.
Start this lessonOriginal introductory guidance from OTWONO Labs. Examples are illustrative and do not report an actual study or award learning credit.
Ask what is being counted
A count, percentage, rate and average describe different things. Record the unit and the group behind each number before treating two figures as comparable.
Keep the denominator visible
If 8 out of 10 attempts succeed, the success proportion is 80 percent. If 40 out of 100 succeed, it is 40 percent. The second group has more successes in total but a lower proportion. Neither description alone answers every question.
Distinguish two kinds of change
A change from 20 percent to 30 percent is an increase of 10 percentage points. Relative to the starting value, it is a 50 percent increase because 10 divided by 20 equals 0.5. State which calculation you mean.
Look for missing context
Ask whether the time period, definitions and collection method are comparable. A larger number may reflect a larger population or a longer observation period rather than improved performance.
Try it
A fictional service completes 18 of 20 requests one day and 80 of 100 the next. Calculate both completion percentages. Which day completed more requests? Which had the higher proportion? Explain why these are different questions.
Check your answer
The first day completed 90 percent and the second 80 percent. The second day completed more requests, while the first had the higher completion proportion. These figures alone do not explain why the difference occurred.
Published September 2026. Suggest a correction or browse the library.