Definition Of Dilation

Dilation is a similarity transformation in which a figure is enlarged or reduced using a scale factor ? 0, without altering the center.

More About Dilation

When the scale factor of a dilation is greater than 1, the dilation is an enlargement.
When the scale factor of a dilation is less than 1, the dilation is a reduction.

Example of Dilation

In the figure shown, triangle ADE is enlarged to triangle ABC using a scale factor 4. Here, A is the center of dilation.

Video Examples: Dilation
 

Solved Example on Dilation

Ques: A'B'C'D' is a dilation of ABCD. Find the scale factor if AB = 2 × A'B'.

Choices:

A. 2
B. 5
C. 0.5
D. 0.2
Correct Answer: C

Solution:

Step 1: A'B'C'D' is a dilation of ABCD.
Step 2: AB = 2 × A'B' implies A'B' = 0.5 × AB
Step 3: So, the scale factor is 0.5.

Related Worksheet

• Using-Graphs-and-Tables-to-represent-Proportional-Relationships-Gr-7
• Finding-Areas-of-Rectilinear-Figures-Gr-3
• Multiplying-Number-or-Decimal-with-Powers-of-10-Gr-5
• Identifying-and-Locating-Ordered-Pairs-Gr-5
• Factors-of-Whole-Number-to-100-Gr-4