Dilation means changing the size of an object without changing its shape. The size of the object may be increased or decreased based on the scale factor. Anexample of dilation math isa square of side 5 units can be dilated to a square of side 15 units, but the shape of the square remains the same.
Dilation math is used to expand and contract two-dimensional or three-dimensional figures in geometry. Let us learn more about the scale factor center of dilation, and how to calculate scale factor, with the help of examples, and FAQs.
| 1. | Dilation Definition |
| 2. | Dilation in Geometry |
| 3. | How to Calculate the Scale Factor in Dilation? |
| 4. | Solved Examples on Dilation Geometry |
| 5. | Practice Questions on Dilation Geometry |
| 6. | FAQs on Dilation Geometry |
Dilation Definition
Dilation is the process of resizing or transforming an object. It is a transformation that makes the objects smaller or larger with the help of the given scale factor. The new figureobtained after dilation is called the image and the original image is called the pre-image. Dilation can be of two types:
- Expansion - When the size of an object is increased.
- Contraction - When the size of an object is decreased.
Observe the following figure which shows the dilation of a square. In this dilation, the size of the square is increased but the shape remains the same.
Center of Dilation
Dilation geometry has an important concept referred to asthe 'center of dilation'. Dilation transforms the size of the figure which may either increase or decrease. The resizing happens from a point called the center of dilation. It is the center of dilation fromwhich the objects/figures are expanded or contracted. In the figure shown below, the triangle is enlarged from the center of dilation which is marked as 'R'.
The Scale Factor
Scale factor is a number by which the size of any geometrical figure or shape can be changed with respect to its original size. It is the ratio of the sizes of the original figure with the dilated figure.
The scale factor can bedenoted by r or k.
- The image is enlarged if the scale factor is more than 1 (k > 1).
- The image is contracted if the scale factor is less than 1 (0< k <1).
- The image remains the same if the scale factor is 1 (k = 1).
Note: The magnitude of the scale factor is considered and the scale factor cannot be zero.
Scale Factor Formula
The scale factor can either increase the size of an object or decrease the size of an object. The basic formula to find the scale factor of a dilated figure is:
Scale factor = Dimension of the new shape ÷ Dimension of the original shape.
This formula can be written in another way which helps to find the dimension of the new shape: Dimensions of the original shape× Scale factor = Dimension of the new shape
Dilation in Geometry
Dilation in mathematics is a process of changing the size of an object or a shapewithout changing its shape.The shape can be a point, a line segment, a polygon, etc. It should be noted that the shape can be enlarged or shrunk but the proportion of each dimension of the shape and the angles remainthe same.
In the above figure,
ΔPQRis dilated (enlarged) to ΔP'Q'R'and the angles are the same. The coordinates of the vertices ofΔPQRhave been changed after dilation.
P(1,3)→ P' (3,9)
Q(3,1)→ Q' (9,3)
R(1,1)→ R' (3,3)
How to Calculate the Scale Factor in Dilation?
The scale factor can be calculated when the original dimension and the changed dimension is given. Let us find the scale factor of a triangle with the original dimensions and scaled up dimensions.As seen above, after dilation, the coordinates of ΔPQR changed as follows:
P(1,3)→ P' (3,9)
Q(3,1)→ Q' (9,3)
R(1,1)→ R' (3,3)
Let us consider each vertex one by one:
- Vertex P:
The x-coordinate1 changed to 3 and the y-coordinate 3 changed to 9. This shows that both the coordinates of P' became thrice the coordinates of P. - Vertex Q:
The x-coordinate 3 changed to 9and the y-coordinate 1 changed to 3. This again shows that both the coordinates of Q' became thrice the coordinates of Q. - Vertex R:
The x-coordinate 1 changed to 3 and the y-coordinate 1 changed to 3. As we can see, both the coordinates of R' became thrice the coordinates of R
Therefore, thescale factor in this dilation is 3. Every coordinateof ΔPQRis multiplied by the scale factor of 3 to obtain the enlarged Δ P'Q'R'. In other words, if the scale factor is k, the coordinates (x,y) are transformed to (kx,ky).
(x,y) → (kx,ky).
The scale factor can also be calculated directly by using the formula: Scale factor = Dimension of the new shape ÷ Dimension of the original shape
In this case, if we divide the coordinates of the new vertices by the coordinates of the original vertices, we can get the scale factor. For example, let us take the dimensions of vertex P (1, 3) and P' (3, 9).
- Take the x-coordinate of P' = 3 and the x-coordinate of P = 1.
- Substitute the values in the formula: 3 ÷ 1 = 3.
- Now, take the y-coordinate of P' = 9 and the y-coordinate of P = 3.
- Apply the same formula: 9 ÷ 3 = 3. Thus, we get the scale factor of 3 from both the coordinates.
FAQs on Dilation Geometry
What is a Dilation in Geometry?
Dilation is the process of enlarging or reducing the size of a geometrical object without changing its shape. Dilationis possibleby using the scale factor which helps in increasing or decreasing the size of the object.
What is a Scale Factor?
Scale factor is a number by which the size of any shape or geometrical figure can be changed with respect to its original size. A scale-up factor means the original object's size has increased and a scale-down factor means the object's size has decreased.
What is the Center of Dilation?
The Center of Dilation is a point on a plane from which an object is expanded or contracted.
What is Dilation Transformation?
Dilations area kind of transformations in which an object is resized based on a scale factor. The scale factor determines how big or small a shape is. In geometry, dilation transformation means to transform the size of geometrical objects, say a square or a triangle.
How to Find the Scale Factor of a Dilated Figure?
The scale factor can either increase or decrease the size of an object. The basic formula to find the scale factor of a dilated figure is: Scale factor = Dimension of the new shape ÷ Dimension of the original shape. For example, if a square is dilated and the side of the smaller (original) square is 4 units and the side of the dilated square (enlarged) is 12 units, then, in this case, the scale factor will be: 12÷ 4 = 3.
