operating cash flow from continuing operations for 2017 was $ 2.7 billion , a $ 191 million , or 8 percent increase compared with 2016 , reflecting higher earnings and favorable changes in working capital .
operating cash flow from continuing operations of $ 2.5 billion in 2016 was a 23 percent increase compared to $ 2.0 billion in 2015 , as comparisons benefited from income taxes of $ 424 million paid on the gains from divestitures in 2015 .
at september 30 , 2017 , operating working capital as a percent of sales increased to 6.6 percent due to higher levels of working capital in the acquired valves & controls business , compared with 5.2 percent and 7.2 percent in 2016 and 2015 , respectively .
operating cash flow from continuing operations funded capital expenditures of $ 476 million , dividends of $ 1239 million , common stock purchases of $ 400 million , and was also used to partially pay down debt in 2017 .
proceeds of $ 5.1 billion from the sales of the network power systems and power generation , motors and drives businesses funded acquisitions of $ 2990 million , cash used for discontinued operations of $ 778 million and repayments of short-term borrowings and long-term debt of approximately $ 1.3 billion .
contributions to pension plans were $ 45 million in 2017 , $ 66 million in 2016 and $ 53 million in 2015 .
capital expenditures related to continuing operations were $ 476 million , $ 447 million and $ 588 million in 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively .
free cash flow from continuing operations ( operating cash flow less capital expenditures ) was $ 2.2 billion in 2017 , up 8 percent .
free cash flow was $ 2.1 billion in 2016 , compared with $ 1.5 billion in 2015 .
the company is targeting capital spending of approximately $ 550 million in 2018 .
net cash paid in connection with acquisitions was $ 2990 million , $ 132 million and $ 324 million in 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively .
proceeds from divestitures not classified as discontinued operations were $ 39 million in 2017 and $ 1812 million in 2015 .
dividends were $ 1239 million ( $ 1.92 per share ) in 2017 , compared with $ 1227 million ( $ 1.90 per share ) in 2016 and $ 1269 million ( $ 1.88 per share ) in 2015 .
in november 2017 , the board of directors voted to increase the quarterly cash dividend 1 percent , to an annualized rate of $ 1.94 per share .
purchases of emerson common stock totaled $ 400 million , $ 601 million and $ 2487 million in 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively , at average per share prices of $ 60.51 , $ 48.11 and $ 57.68 .
the board of directors authorized the purchase of up to 70 million common shares in november 2015 , and 56.9 million shares remain available for purchase under this authorization .
the company purchased 6.6 million shares in 2017 under the november 2015 authorization .
in 2016 , the company purchased 12.5 million shares under a combination of the november 2015 authorization and the remainder of the may 2013 authorization .
a total of 43.1 million shares were purchased in 2015 under the may 2013 authorization .
leverage/capitalization ( dollars in millions ) 2015 2016 2017 .

( dollars in millions )
2015
2016
2017
total assets
$ 22088
21732
19589
long-term debt
$ 4289
4051
3794
common stockholders' equity
$ 8081
7568
8718
total debt-to-total capital ratio
45.8% ( 45.8 % )
46.7% ( 46.7 % )
34.8% ( 34.8 % )
net debt-to-net capital ratio
31.3% ( 31.3 % )
31.3% ( 31.3 % )
15.4% ( 15.4 % )
operating cash flow-to-debt ratio
29.8% ( 29.8 % )
37.7% ( 37.7 % )
57.8% ( 57.8 % )
interest coverage ratio
20.2x
11.8x
12.6x

total debt , which includes long-term debt , current maturities of long-term debt , commercial paper and other short-term borrowings , was $ 4.7 billion , $ 6.6 billion and $ 6.8 billion for 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively .
during the year , the company repaid $ 250 million of 5.125% ( 5.125 % ) notes that matured in december 2016 .
in 2015 , the company issued $ 500 million of 2.625% ( 2.625 % ) notes due december 2021 and $ 500 million of 3.150% ( 3.150 % ) notes due june 2025 , and repaid $ 250 million of 5.0% ( 5.0 % ) notes that matured in december 2014 and $ 250 million of 4.125% ( 4.125 % ) notes that matured in april 2015 .
the total debt-to-capital ratio and the net debt-to-net capital ratio ( less cash and short-term investments ) decreased in 2017 due to lower total debt outstanding and higher common stockholders 2019 equity from changes in other comprehensive income .
the total debt-to-capital ratio and the net debt-to-net capital ratio ( less cash and short-term investments ) increased in 2016 due to lower common stockholders 2019 equity from share repurchases and changes in other comprehensive income .
the operating cash flow from continuing operations-to-debt ratio increased in 2017 primarily due to lower debt in the current year .
the operating cash flow from continuing operations-to- debt ratio increased in 2016 primarily due to taxes paid in 2015 on the divestiture gains and lower debt in 2016 .
the interest coverage ratio is computed as earnings from continuing operations before income taxes plus interest expense , divided by interest expense .
the increase in interest coverage in 2017 reflects lower interest expense in the current year .
the decrease in interest coverage in 2016 reflects lower pretax earnings , largely due to the divestiture gains of $ 1039 million in 2015 , and slightly higher interest expense .
in april 2014 , the company entered into a $ 3.5 billion five- year revolving backup credit facility with various banks , which replaced the december 2010 $ 2.75 billion facility .
the credit facility is maintained to support general corporate purposes , including commercial paper borrowing .
the company has not incurred any borrowings under this or previous facilities .
the credit facility contains no financial covenants and is not subject to termination based on a change of credit rating or material adverse changes .
the facility is unsecured and may be accessed under various interest rate and currency denomination alternatives at the company 2019s option .
fees to maintain the facility are immaterial .
the company also maintains a universal shelf registration statement on file with the sec under which .

Question: what percentage of total debt was long-term debt in 2017?
Answer: 81%

Question: what percentage of total debt was long-term debt in 2016?
Answer: 61%