1. **State the problem:** We need to find the percent of change in Vera's final average from seventh grade (96) to eighth grade (91). 2. **Formula for percent change:** $$\text{Percent Change} = \frac{\text{New Value} - \text{Old Value}}{\text{Old Value}} \times 100\%$$ 3. **Apply the values:** $$\text{Percent Change} = \frac{91 - 96}{96} \times 100\%$$ 4. **Calculate the numerator:** $$91 - 96 = -5$$ 5. **Substitute back:** $$\text{Percent Change} = \frac{-5}{96} \times 100\%$$ 6. **Simplify the fraction:** $$\text{Percent Change} = -\frac{5}{96} \times 100\%$$ 7. **Calculate the decimal:** $$-\frac{5}{96} \approx -0.05208$$ 8. **Multiply by 100 to get percent:** $$-0.05208 \times 100\% = -5.208\%$$ 9. **Interpretation:** The negative sign means a decrease. **Final answer:** Vera's final average decreased by approximately **5.21%** from seventh grade to eighth grade.