If population changes from 60 lakh to 54 lakh, what is the correct interpretation?

Correct answer: ६ लाख की कमी और १० प्रतिशत घटाव

The direct answer is A. To find the absolute change, subtract the final population from the initial population: 60 lakh − 54 lakh = 6 lakh. Because the final number is smaller, this is a decrease, not an increase. To find the percentage decrease, divide the decrease by the initial population and multiply by 100: (6 ÷ 60) × 100 = 10%. Therefore, the population decreased by 6 lakh, which is 10% of the original 60 lakh. Option A is correct because it gives both the correct amount and the correct direction of change. Option B is wrong because the population did not rise; it fell from 60 to 54 lakh. Option C is wrong because 54 lakh is the final population, not the amount of change. Option D is wrong because 60 lakh is the starting population, not an increase. A useful memory cue is: first subtract to find the change, then divide by the original value for the percentage. Always use the initial population as the denominator when calculating percentage change.