Chapter R - Section R.1 - Basic Concepts - R.1 Exercises - Page 11: 59

(a) Las Vegas had the largest change in the population -- it increased by 45.4%. (b) Detroit had the smallest change in the population -- it decreased by 3.6%.

(a) To find the greatest change in the population, we look at the 'percent change' column and find the largest value, ignoring whether it is positive or negative. That is, we take the absolute value of the "percent change" column and find the largest overall number. The largest value is "|45.4|=45.4%", so Las Vegas had the largest change in the population -- it increased by 45.4%. (b) To find the least change in the population, we look at the 'percent change' column and find the smallest value, ignoring whether it is positive or negative. That is, we take the absolute value of the "percent change" column and find the smallest overall number. The smallest value is "|-3.6|=3.6%", so Detroit had the smallest change in the population -- it decreased by 3.6% (because the original value is negative).