4.

5 Dilations
Learning Target: Understand dilations of figures.

Success Criteria: • I can identify dilations.

• I can dilate figures.
• I can solve real-life problems involving scale factors and dilations.

EXPLORE IT Dilating Figures

Work with a partner. E′

a. The diagram shows a

E
dilation of △DEF to
△D′E′F′. How would C
you define a dilation? D F

F′
D′

b. Use technology to draw

any line segment,
—, and a point C not
PQ
on the line segment. P

C Q

— using a scale factor of 2 and the center of

i. Dilate PQ
—. What do you notice? Make several
dilation C to form P′Q′
observations.
ii. Choose two other scale factors, where one scale factor is
greater than 1 and the other scale factor is between 0 and 1.
What conclusions can you make?
— and P′Q′
iii. What scale factor results in PQ — being congruent?
c. Use technology to draw any △PQR and a point C not in △PQR.
4
MTR CONSTRUCT AN i. Dilate △PQR using the center of dilation C and several different scale
ARGUMENT factors to form △P′Q′R′. Compare △PQR and △P′Q′R′.
What happens to a
ii. Make a conjecture about the side lengths and angle measures of the
figure when a scale
image of △PQR after a dilation with a scale factor of k.
factor is less than 0?
d. Based on your results in parts (b) and (c), is there anything you would like
to change or include in your definition in part (a)? Explain.

e. Is a dilation a rigid motion? Explain your reasoning.

Geometric Reasoning
[Link].2.1 Given a preimage and image, describe the transformation and represent the transformation
algebraically using coordinates.
[Link].2.5 Given a geometric figure and a sequence of transformations, draw the transformed figure on
a coordinate plane.
GO DIGITAL Also [Link].2.2

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 Identifying and Performing Dilations

Vocabulary KEY IDEA

dilation, p. 204 Dilations
center of dilation, p. 204 A dilation is a transformation in which a figure is enlarged or reduced with
scale factor, p. 204 respect to a fixed point C called the center of dilation and a scale factor k,
enlargement, p. 204 which is the ratio of the lengths of the corresponding sides of the image and
reduction, p. 204 the preimage.
A dilation with center of dilation C and scale factor k maps every point P in a
figure to a point P′ so that the following are true.
• If P is the center of dilation C, then P = P′. P′
P
• If P is not the center of dilation C, then the C
Q
image point P′ lies on ⃗
CP. The scale factor k
CP′ R Q′
is a positive number such that k = —.
CP
• Angle measures are preserved. R′

A dilation does not change any line that passes through the center of dilation. A
dilation maps a line that does not pass through the center of dilation to a parallel line.
PR  ⃖⃗
In the figure above, ⃖⃗ PQ  ⃖⃗
P′R′, ⃖⃗ QR  ⃖⃗
P′Q′, and ⃖⃗ Q′R′.
When the scale factor k > 1, a dilation is an enlargement. When 0 < k < 1, a dilation
is a reduction.

EXAMPLE 1 Identifying Dilations

Find the scale factor of the dilation. Then tell whether the dilation is a reduction or
an enlargement.
a. b.
P′ P
12 P
8 P′ 30

READING C 18

The scale factor of a

dilation can be written C
as a fraction, decimal, SOLUTION
or percent. CP′ 12 3
a. Because — = —, the scale factor is k = —. So, the dilation is an enlargement.
CP 8 2
CP′ 18 3
b. Because — = —, the scale factor is k = —. So, the dilation is a reduction.
CP 30 5

SELF-ASSESSMENT 1 I don’t understand yet. 2 I can do it with help. 3 I can do it on my own. 4 I can teach someone else.

1. In a dilation, CP′ = 3 and CP = 12. Find the scale factor. Then tell whether the
dilation is a reduction or an enlargement.
2. WHICH ONE DOESN’T BELONG? Which scale factor does not belong with the
other three? Explain your reasoning.

5
—4 60% 115% 2
GO DIGITAL

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 KEY IDEA
Coordinate Rule for Dilations
y
If P(x, y) is the preimage of a point, then its image P′(kx, ky)
STUDY TIP after a dilation centered at the origin (0, 0) with
In this chapter, for all scale factor k is the point P′(kx, ky).
P(x, y)
dilations in the
coordinate plane, the x
center of dilation is
(x, y) → (kx, ky)
the origin unless
otherwise noted.
EXAMPLE 2 Dilating a Figure in the Coordinate Plane

Graph △ABC with vertices A(2, 1), B(4, 1), and C(4, −1) and its image after a
dilation with a scale factor of 2.

SOLUTION
Use the coordinate rule for a dilation with y
k = 2 to find the coordinates of the vertices
A′ B′
of the image. Then graph △ABC and its image. 2
A
B
(x, y) → (2x, 2y)
2 6 x
A(2, 1) → A′(4, 2) C
−2
B(4, 1) → B′(8, 2) C′

C(4, −1) → C′(8, −2)

Notice the relationships between the lengths and slopes of the sides of the triangles in
Example 2. Each side length of △A′B′C′ is longer than its corresponding side by the
scale factor. The corresponding sides are parallel because their slopes are the same.

EXAMPLE 3 Dilating a Figure in the Coordinate Plane

Graph quadrilateral KLMN with vertices K(−3, 6), L(0, 6), M(3, 3), and N(−3, −3)
and its image after a dilation with a scale factor of —13 .

SOLUTION
Use the coordinate rule for a dilation with k = —13 to K L y
find the coordinates of the vertices of the image.
Then graph quadrilateral KLMN and its image.
4
(
(x, y) → —13 x, —13 y ) K′ L′
M

K(−3, 6) → K′(−1, 2)
M′
L(0, 6) → L′(0, 2)
−4 −2 2 4 x
M(3, 3) → M′(1, 1) N′

N(−3, −3) → N′(−1, −1) N

SELF-ASSESSMENT 1 I don’t understand yet. 2 I can do it with help. 3 I can do it on my own. 4 I can teach someone else.

Graph △PQR and its image after a dilation with scale factor k.
3. P(−2, −1), Q(−1, 0), R(0, −1); k = 4 4. P(5, −5), Q(10, −5), R(10, 5); k = 0.4
GO DIGITAL

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 CONSTRUCTION Constructing a Dilation

Use a compass and straightedge to construct a dilation of △PQR with a scale factor
of 2. Use a point C outside the triangle as the center of dilation.

SOLUTION
Step 1 Step 2 Step 3

P′ P′

P Q′ Q′
P P
Q Q Q

C R C R R′ C R R′

Draw a triangle Draw △PQR and Use a compass Use a compass to Connect points Connect points
choose the center of the dilation C locate P′ on ⃗
CP so that CP′ = 2(CP). P′, Q′, and R′ to form △P′Q′R′.
outside the triangle. Draw rays from Locate Q′ and R′ using the same
C through the vertices of the triangle. method.

y scale factor k Scale factors can be negative numbers. When this occurs, the figure rotates 180°. So,
when k > 0, a dilation with a scale factor of −k is the same as the composition of a
dilation with a scale factor of k followed by a rotation of 180° about the center of
dilation. Using the coordinate rules for a dilation and a rotation of 180°, you can think
preimage of the notation as
x
(x, y) → (kx, ky) → (−kx, −ky).
center of
dilation
EXAMPLE 4 Using a Negative Scale Factor
scale factor −k
Graph △FGH with vertices F(−4, −2), G(−2, 4), and H(−2, −2) and its image
1
after a dilation with a scale factor of −—2 .

SOLUTION
Use the coordinate rule for a dilation with y
1 G
k = −—2 to find the coordinates of the vertices 4
of the image. Then graph △FGH and its image.
2
(
(x, y) → − —12 x, − —2 y
1
) H′ F′

F(−4, −2) → F′(2, 1) −4 2 4 x

G(−2, 4) → G′(1, −2) −2

F H G′
H(−2, −2) → H′(1, 1) −4

SELF-ASSESSMENT 1 I don’t understand yet. 2 I can do it with help. 3 I can do it on my own. 4 I can teach someone else.

5. Graph △PQR with vertices P(1, 2), Q(3, 1), and R(1, −3) and its image after
a dilation with a scale factor of −2.
6. REASONING A polygon with a vertex at the origin is dilated. Explain why
the corresponding vertex of the image is also at the origin.
GO DIGITAL

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 Solving Real-Life Problems

EXAMPLE 5 Finding a Scale Factor

4 in.
You are making your own photo stickers.
Your photo is 4 inches by 4 inches. The image
on the stickers is 1.1 inches by 1.1 inches.
READING What is the scale factor of this dilation?
A scale factor is written
SOLUTION
so that the units in
the numerator and The scale factor is the ratio of a side
denominator divide out. length of the sticker image to a side
1.1 in. 1.1 in.
length of the original photo, or —.
4 in.
11
So, in simplest form, the scale factor is —.
40

EXAMPLE 6 Finding the Length of an Image

You are using a magnifying glass that shows the image of an object as six times the
object’s actual size. Determine the length of the image of the spider seen through the
magnifying glass.

SOLUTION
cm image length
—— = k Write ratio of corresponding lengths.
cm actual length
x
—=6 Substitute values.
1.5
x=9 Multiply each side by 1.5.
1.5 cm
So, the image length seen through the magnifying glass is 9 centimeters.

SELF-ASSESSMENT 1 I don’t understand yet. 2 I can do it with help. 3 I can do it on my own. 4 I can teach someone else.

12.6 cm
7. An optometrist dilates the pupils of a patient’s eyes to get a better
look at the back of the eyes. A pupil dilates from 4.5 millimeters to
8 millimeters. What is the scale factor of this dilation?

8. The image of another spider seen through the magnifying glass

in Example 6 is shown at the right. Find the actual length of
the spider.

When a transformation, such as a dilation, Horizontal Stretch Vertic

Vertical Stretch
changes the shape or size of a figure, the A A′
transformation is nonrigid. In addition to
dilations, there are many possible nonrigid A
transformations. Two examples are shown.
It is important to pay close attention to
whether a nonrigid transformation preserves C B B′
lengths and angle measures.
GO DIGITAL
C B

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 4.5 Practice WITH AND

In Exercises 1–4, find the scale factor of the dilation. In Exercises 13–18, graph the polygon with the given
Then tell whether the dilation is a reduction or an vertices and its image after a dilation with scale factor k.
enlargement. (See Example 1.) (See Examples 2 and 3.)

1. 2. 13. X(6, −1), Y(−2, −4), Z(1, 2); k = 3

14 P
P′ C 14. Q(−3, −2), R(1, 2), S(4, 1); k = 4
6
C P 9
P′ 24 15. A(0, 5), B(−10, −5), C(5, −5); k = 120%

3. 4. 16. D(−6, 4), E(−4, −6), F(4, 8); k = 50%

P′
17. J(4, 0), K(−8, 4), L(0, −4), M(12, −8); k = 0.25
P 28
C 18. T(9, −3), U(6, 0), V(3, 9), W(0, 0); k = —3
2
9 C 8
15
P′ In Exercises 19 and 20, write a coordinate rule for the
dilation.
P
19. y 20. y
4 B
CONSTRUCTION In Exercises 5–8, copy the diagram. B′
4
Then use a compass and straightedge to construct B′
2 2
a dilation of △LMN with the given center and scale B
factor k. C C′ C′ C
2 4 6 x −2 2 4 x
L A
C −2 A′
A′
−4 A
M P
In Exercises 21–24, graph the polygon with the
N given vertices and its image after a dilation with
scale factor k. (See Example 4.)
5. Center C, k = 2 6. Center P, k = 3 1
21. B(−5, −10), C(−10, 15), D(0, 5); k = − —5
1
7. Center M, k = —2 8. Center C, k = 25%
22. L(0, 0), M(−4, 1), N(−3, −6); k = −3

CONSTRUCTION In Exercises 9–12, copy the diagram. 23. R(−7, −1), S(2, 5), T(−2, −3), U(−3, −3); k = −4
Then use a compass and straightedge to construct a
dilation of quadrilateral RSTU with the given center 24. W(8, −2), X(6, 0), Y(−6, 4), Z(−2, 2); k = −0.5
and scale factor k.
25. FINDING A SCALE FACTOR You receive
R wallet-sized photos of your school
picture. The photo is 2.5 inches by
3.5 inches. You ask the photographer
S
C to dilate the photo to 5 inches by
P 7 inches. What is the scale factor of this
dilation? (See Example 5.)

26. FINDING A SCALE FACTOR Your friend asks you to

U T
enlarge your notes to study because your writing is
small. Your writing covers 7.5 inches by 10 inches on
9. Center P, k = 2 10. Center C, k = 3 a piece of paper. The writing on the enlarged copy has
a smaller side with a length of 9 inches.
GO DIGITAL
11. Center C, k = 75% 12. Center R, k = 0.25 What is the scale factor of this dilation?

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 ERROR ANALYSIS In Exercises 27 and 28, describe 37. REASONING Use the given actual and magnified
and correct the error in finding the scale factor of lengths to determine which of the following insects
the dilation. were seen using the same magnification level.
Explain your reasoning.
27.

✗ C
3 P′
12 P 12
k=—
3
grasshopper
Actual: 2 in.
Magnified: 15 in.
black beetle
Actual: 0.6 in.
Magnified: 4.2 in.
=4

28.

✗ P′(−4, 2)
P(−2, 1)
4
y

2
k=—
honeybee monarch butterfly
2 4 Actual: —58 in. Actual: 3.9 in.
−6 4 x
1 75
=— Magnified: — in. Magnified: 29.25 in.
1 16
2 2
−4

In Exercises 29– 32, determine whether the dilated

figure or the original figure is closer to the center of
dilation. Use the given location of the center of dilation
and the scale factor k.
29. Center of dilation: inside the figure; k = 3 38. HOW DO YOU SEE IT?
1 Point C is the center of dilation of the figures. The
30. Center of dilation: inside the figure; k = —2 scale factor is —13. Which figure is the preimage?
Which figure is the image? Explain your reasoning.
31. Center of dilation: outside the figure; k = 0.1

32. Center of dilation: outside the figure; k = 120%

In Exercises 33–36, you are using a magnifying glass.

Use the actual length of the insect and the magnification C
level to determine the length of the image of the insect
seen through the magnifying glass. (See Example 6.)
33. emperor moth 34. ladybug
Magnification: 5× Magnification: 10×
39. REASONING You have a 4-inch by 6-inch photo from
the school dance. You have an 8-inch by 10-inch
frame. Can you enlarge the photo without cropping to
fit the frame? Explain your reasoning.
60 mm 4.5 mm
40. WRITING Is a scale factor of 2 the same as a scale
35. dragonfly 36. carpenter ant factor of 200%? Explain your reasoning.
Magnification: 20× Magnification: 15×
41. DISCUSS MATHEMATICAL THINKING Dilate the line
through O(0, 0) and A(1, 2) using a scale factor of 2.
—
a. What do you notice about the lengths of O′A′
—
and OA ?
12 mm
b. What do you notice about ⃖⃗
O′A′ and ⃖⃗
OA?
47 mm
GO DIGITAL

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 42. CONNECTING CONCEPTS The larger triangle is a 46. MAKING AN ARGUMENT Your friend claims that
dilation of the smaller triangle. Find the values of dilating a figure by 1 is the same as dilating the
x and y. figure by −1 because the original figure will not be
enlarged or reduced. Is your friend correct? Explain
(3y − 34)° your reasoning.

47. STRUCTURE Rectangle WXYZ has vertices

W(−3, −1), X(−3, 3), Y(5, 3), and Z(5, −1).
2x + 8 a. Find the perimeter and the area of the rectangle.

x+1
b. Dilate the rectangle using a scale factor of 3. Find
(y + 16)° the perimeter and the area of the image. Compare
the perimeters and the areas of the rectangles.
C What do you notice?
2
c. Repeat part (b) using a scale factor of —14 .
6
d. Make conjectures for how the perimeter and area
change when a figure is dilated.
DISCUSS MATHEMATICAL THINKING In Exercises 43 and
44, graph △ABC with vertices A(−3, 4), B(−4, 2), and
48. THOUGHT PROVOKING
C(0, −4) and its image after the transformation. Then
Explain why a dilation with a negative scale factor
determine whether the transformation is a dilation.
results in a rotation.
Explain your reasoning.
43. (x, y) → (2x, y) 44. (x, y) → (x, 3y)
49. DIG DEEPER △ABC has vertices A(4, 2), B(4, 6),
45. REASONING You put a reduction of a rectangle on the and C(7, 2). Find the coordinates of the vertices of
original rectangle. Explain why there is a point that is the image after a dilation with center (4, 0) and scale
in the same location on both rectangles. factor 2.

REVIEW & REFRESH

In Exercises 50–53, graph the polygon with the 56. Describe a congruence transformation that maps
given vertices and its image after the indicated the blue preimage to the green image.
transformation.
D E y
50. A(2, −1), B(0, 4), C(−3, 5) 2
Translation: (x, y) → (x − 1, y + 3)
F
−4 −2 2 4 x
51. A(−5, 6), B(−7, 8), C(−3, 11) K J
−2
Reflection: in the x-axis
−4
L
52. D(−3, 2), E(−1, 4), F(1, 2), G(1, −1)
Rotation: 270° counterclockwise about the origin
57. Graph g(x) = 3(x − 1)2 + 7. Compare the graph to
53. J(0, 4), K(4, 4), L(8, 0), M(4, 0) the graph of f (x) = x2.
Dilation: scale factor k = 75%
In Exercises 58 and 59, find the product.
4−2b−3 58. (3x − 4)2 59. (w − 5)(6 + 2w)
54. Simplify —
−1 0 −4
.
2 ab

55. MODELING REAL LIFE You are painting a CHOOSE A METHOD In Exercises 60 and 61, solve
rectangular canvas that is 30 inches wide and the system using any method. Explain your choice
40 inches long. Your friend is painting a rectangular of method.
canvas, where the width and length are each
60. y = −3x + 5 61. 0.6y + 0.5x = 1
x inches shorter. When x = 3, what is the area of
your friend’s canvas? 2x + 4y = 15 0.25x = −0.5y + 2
GO DIGITAL

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