Dilations and Scale Factor

Front

What is a dilation in geometry?

Back

A dilation is a transformation that alters the size of a figure but keeps its shape the same. It is defined by a center point and a scale factor.

Front

What is a scale factor?

Back

The scale factor is a number that describes how much a figure is enlarged or reduced during a dilation. A scale factor greater than 1 indicates enlargement, while a scale factor between 0 and 1 indicates reduction.

Front

If a shape is dilated with a scale factor of 1/2, what happens to its size?

Back

The shape is reduced to half its original size.

Front

If a shape is dilated with a scale factor of 2, what happens to its size?

Back

The shape is enlarged to twice its original size.

Front

What does it mean if the scale factor is less than 1?

Back

It means the figure is being reduced in size.

Front

What does it mean if the scale factor is greater than 1?

Back

It means the figure is being enlarged.

Front

True or False: A dilation produces a congruent figure.

Back

False. A dilation produces a similar figure, not a congruent one.

Front

How do you find the scale factor when given two corresponding points from the original and dilated figures?

Back

Divide the distance from the center of dilation to the dilated point by the distance from the center of dilation to the original point.

Front

If point (4, 6) is dilated to (8, 12), what is the scale factor?

Back

The scale factor is 2.

Front

If point (3, 4) is dilated to (1.5, 2), what is the scale factor?

Back

The scale factor is 1/2.