Decrease - GCSE Maths Definition

In GCSE Maths, the term "decrease" refers to when something becomes smaller or reduces in size, number, or amount. For example, if you start with a pencil case containing 10 pencils and you give 2 pencils to a friend, the number of pencils has decreased from 10 to 8.

In a mathematical context, decrease often means you are subtracting a number or making a value less than it was before. It is the opposite of "increase", which means to get bigger or add more. Understanding how to calculate and identify decreases is important in solving problems involving percentages, sequences, and everyday scenarios where changes in quantity are observed.