2015 vs .
2014 on a gaap basis , the effective tax rate was 24.0% ( 24.0 % ) and 27.1% ( 27.1 % ) in 2015 and 2014 , respectively .
the effective tax rate was higher in fiscal year 2014 primarily due to the goodwill impairment charge of $ 305.2 , which was not deductible for tax purposes , and the chilean tax reform enacted in september 2014 which increased income tax expense by $ 20.6 .
these impacts were partially offset by an income tax benefit of $ 51.6 associated with losses from transactions and a tax election in a non-u.s .
subsidiary .
refer to note 10 , goodwill , and note 23 , income taxes , to the consolidated financial statements for additional information .
on a non-gaap basis , the effective tax rate was 24.2% ( 24.2 % ) and 24.1% ( 24.1 % ) in 2015 and 2014 , respectively .
discontinued operations on 29 march 2016 , the board of directors approved the company 2019s exit of its energy-from-waste ( efw ) business .
as a result , efforts to start up and operate its two efw projects located in tees valley , united kingdom , have been discontinued .
the decision to exit the business and stop development of the projects was based on continued difficulties encountered and the company 2019s conclusion , based on testing and analysis completed during the second quarter of fiscal year 2016 , that significant additional time and resources would be required to make the projects operational .
in addition , the decision allows the company to execute its strategy of focusing resources on its core industrial gases business .
the efw segment has been presented as a discontinued operation .
prior year efw business segment information has been reclassified to conform to current year presentation .
in fiscal 2016 , our loss from discontinued operations , net of tax , of $ 884.2 primarily resulted from the write down of assets to their estimated net realizable value and to record a liability for plant disposition and other costs .
income tax benefits related only to one of the projects , as the other did not qualify for a local tax deduction .
the loss from discontinued operations also includes land lease costs , commercial and administrative costs , and costs incurred for ongoing project exit activities .
we expect additional exit costs of $ 50 to $ 100 to be recorded in future periods .
in fiscal 2015 , our loss from discontinued operations , net of tax , related to efw was $ 6.8 .
this resulted from costs for land leases and commercial and administrative expenses .
in fiscal 2014 , our loss from discontinued operations , net of tax , was $ 2.9 .
this included a loss , net of tax , of $ 7.5 for the cost of efw land leases and commercial and administrative expenses .
this loss was partially offset by a gain of $ 3.9 for the sale of the remaining homecare business and settlement of contingencies related to a sale of a separate portion of the business to the linde group in 2012 .
refer to note 4 , discontinued operations , for additional details .
segment analysis industrial gases 2013 americas .

2016
2015
2014
sales
$ 3343.6
$ 3693.9
$ 4078.5
operating income
895.2
808.4
762.6
operating margin
26.8% ( 26.8 % )
21.9% ( 21.9 % )
18.7% ( 18.7 % )
equity affiliates 2019 income
52.7
64.6
60.9
adjusted ebitda
1390.4
1289.9
1237.9
adjusted ebitda margin
41.6% ( 41.6 % )
34.9% ( 34.9 % )
30.4% ( 30.4 % )

.

Question: what is the increase in the operating margin observed in 2015 and 2016?
Answer: 4.9%
Explanation: it is the variation between these operating margins .
Calculation: subtract(26.8%, 21.9%)