There is decrease of 35% in the price of silver in the past 6 months. 
 Solution: 
Given that 
Price of silver went from $26.40 a troy ounce down to $17.16 a troy ounce during past 6 months need to represent this decrease in percentage 
Price of silver before 6 months = initial price = $26.40 
Price of silver now = current price = $17.16 
Difference in price in 6 months = 26.40 – 17.16 = $9.24 


 Hence there is decrease of 35% in the price of silver in the past 6 months.