Let the original diameter of the sphere be 2x.
Then, original radius of the sphere = x
Original curved surface area = 4πx2
Decreased diameter of the sphere
=2x−25% of 2x
=2x−x2=32x
Decreased radius of the sphere = 34x
∴ Decreased curved surface area
=4π(34x)2=94πx2
Decrease in area=4πx2−94πx2=74πx2
Hence, percentage decrease in area
=74πx24πx2×100%
=716×100%=1754%=43.75%