Enter the proportions of a specific characteristic in the first and second group into the calculator to determine the difference in proportions.

Difference In Proportions Formula

The following formula is used to calculate the difference in proportions.

D = P1 - P2

Variables:

  • D is the difference in proportions
  • P1 is the proportion of a specific characteristic in the first group
  • P2 is the proportion of the same characteristic in the second group

To calculate the difference in proportions, subtract the proportion of the specific characteristic in the second group from the proportion of the same characteristic in the first group.

What is a Difference In Proportions?

A Difference in Proportions is a statistical tool used to compare the proportions or percentages of a specific characteristic between two or more groups. It is often used in hypothesis testing to determine if there is a significant difference between the groups. For example, it can be used to compare the proportion of males and females who prefer a particular product or the proportion of people in different age groups who vote for a particular candidate. The difference is calculated by subtracting the proportion in one group from the proportion in another group.

How to Calculate Difference In Proportions?

The following steps outline how to calculate the Difference in Proportions.


  1. First, determine the proportion of the specific characteristic in the first group (P1).
  2. Next, determine the proportion of the same characteristic in the second group (P2).
  3. Next, gather the formula from above = D = P1 – P2.
  4. Finally, calculate the Difference in Proportions.
  5. After inserting the variables and calculating the result, check your answer with the calculator above.

Example Problem : 

Use the following variables as an example problem to test your knowledge.

Proportion in the first group (P1) = 0.6

Proportion in the second group (P2) = 0.4