RECREATIONAL SPORTS In 1995, there were 73,567 youth softball teams. By 2007, there were 86,049. Determine the percent of the increase.

The percent change is the increase or decrease in the value of a quantity. If the new value is larger than the original value then it is a percent increase and if the change in value is lesser than the original value it is called percentage decrease.

For example, if a person has 25 dollars and he gets 3 more dollars and now has 28 dollars, its percentage increase is calculated as shown:

$\begin{array}{l}\text{Increase}=28-25=3\\ \%\text{change=r,then}\\ \frac{3}{25}=\frac{r}{100}\\ r=\frac{3}{25}\times 100\\ =12\%\end{array}$

We are given that

In 1995, there were 73,567 youth softball teams and by 2007, there were 86,049 youth softball teams.

We find the amount of change. And calculate the percentage change as follows:

$\begin{array}{l}\text{Change}=86049-73567=12482\\ \text{\%change=}\frac{12482}{73567}\times 100\\ \text{\%change=0.1696}\times 100\\ \text{\%change=}16.96\%\end{array}$

Thus, the percent of the increase is 16.96%.