Question

If I go from $0 to $2000, is that 100% change or 2000%?

Answer 1

It should be 2000%

Answer 2

You can't work out a percentage increase from zero, because it would require division by zero which is undefinable. The nearest answer to your question would be an infinite percentage increase. However, you can define a percentage increase from one cent. From 1 cent to $2000 is a percentage increase of 199999/1*100=19,999,900% increase!

Answer 3

A percentage is based on a whole (think of a pie) that you are basically splitting up.  If you split the pie into 4 equal slices you would have 1/4 of the whole, or 25% of the whole in each slice.  All four slices add up to 100%.

Now let's say instead of $2,000 you have 2,000 blueberries.  Why blue berries?  Well, they're tasty little guys and high in antioxidants.  But back to the conversation...

2,000 blueberries 1 pie.  You can never eat 2000% of the pie.  Only 100%