What is the difference between relative and absolute growth rate? Explain with example please.

The growth of the given system per unit time expressed on a common basis is called as Relative growth rate.

For example:

Two leaves X and Y having different sizes show exact absolute increase in the area in the given time.

But, one of them has a much higher relative growth rate.

Consider, both the leaves have grown by 5 cm2 in a single day

The initial size of leaf X was 5 cm2, while that of leaf Y was 40 cm2.

Though the absolute growth rates both the leaves is the same, the relative growth rate in leaf X is faster.

Regards

Arun (askIITians forum expert)