So the total number of motor vehicles is growing rapidly, and the absolute rate of growth is quite likely to increase.

FORBES: Petroleum Balance

Corporate profits depend upon the absolute rate of growth of an economy.

ECONOMIST: Economics focus

As far as hitting that absolute zero accident rate, Deluliis says that some shifts and mines have been accident-free for about a year.

FORBES: Chinese Coke Craze Kicks Up Business For Consol

Since what matters is not just the absolute temperature level but the rate of change as well, it makes sense to try to slow down the increase.

ECONOMIST: Blowing hot and cold

The success rate may not change, but the absolute number of successes will.

FORBES: It Isn't the Fiscal Cliff; It's Limited Access to Capital that's Crippling Small Business

His budget envisages a slowdown in the rate at which government grows rather than a reduction in its absolute size.

ECONOMIST: Lexington

Most important, the sequester involves no spending cuts in absolute terms, but only a very slight (2%) abatement in the rate of spending increase already scheduled by Congress.

FORBES: Why The Fiscal 'Sequester' Scheme Is Actually Bullish

The difficulty of achieving a reduction in the rate of wage increases ought, in short, to be considerably less than that of achieving absolute cuts.

FORBES: Three Percent Is The New Zero Percent