enlargement

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Mathematical transformation that changes the size of a shape by multiplying all its proportions by the same scale factor. An enlargement may be either smaller or larger.

For example:

A'B'C'D' is an enlargement of ABCD. The scale factor of the enlargement is 2, because all the lengths of the shape have been doubled and the distances of points A', B', C', and D' from the centre of enlargement have also been doubled.

A scale factor greater than 1 will give a new shape that is larger than the original and a scale factor less than 1 will give a new shape that is smaller than the original, but they are both called enlargements.

To find the centre of enlargement, the corresponding points of the enlargement and the original shape should be joined, and the lines extended until they all meet. For example:

The centre of enlargement is at O and the scale factor is 3.

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