Let's write the percent change formula: (new - base)/base = p/100 = p%
or you could say (new - old)/old = p/100 = p%
Which number is the "new" number and which is the "base"? When the numbers appear chronologically, as they do by definition in this question, the new number is the number that came at the later date, and the base number is the one that came the day before it.
Now we can list each of these percent differences
Answer A (6 - 20) / 20
Answer B (18 - 12) / 12
Answer C (10 - 18) / 18
Answer D (16 - 10) / 10
Answer E (8 - 16) / 16
As you turn these amounts into percentages, keep in mind that the smaller the denominator the BIGGER the number.
The correct answer is D, and it's a great answer because the denominator is small. The denominator is only 10.
Answer D