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Dilate A(-1, 1) B(-3, 1) C(-1, 2) by scale factor 2

Step by step, with the reason for every step · Dilations about the origin · Geometry

Step by step

The question

Question: dilate the shape A(−1, 1), B(−3, 1) and C(−1, 2) by scale factor 2.

A(−1, 1), B(−3, 1) and C(−1, 2)
= scale factor 2

1 Draw the shape

Put the points on the grid and join them.

2 Multiply each point

Scale factor 2 makes the shape 2 times as big.

Every number is multiplied by 2.

scale factor 2 → 2 times as big

We call the new point A prime.

The little mark means: the new A.

A is (−1, 1).

2 times −1 is −2.

2 times 1 is 2.

So A' is (−2, 2).

A(−1, 1) → (2 × −1, 2 × 1) = A'(−2, 2)

Careful!

A dilation multiplies.

Adding 2 would slide the shape, not make it bigger.

Careful: not A'(−1 + 2, 1 + 2) ✗

B: 2 times −3 is −6, 2 times 1 is 2.

So B' is (−6, 2).

B(−3, 1) → (2 × −3, 2 × 1) = B'(−6, 2)

C: 2 times −1 is −2, 2 times 2 is 4.

So C' is (−2, 4).

C(−1, 2) → (2 × −1, 2 × 2) = C'(−2, 4)

3 Draw the image

Join the new points.

This new shape is called the image.

So the image is A'(−2, 2), B'(−6, 2) and C'(−2, 4).

A'(−2, 2), B'(−6, 2) and C'(−2, 4)

4 What changes

Count the flat side AB on the grid: 2 squares.

AB = 2

A'B' is 4 squares.

That is 2 times as long.

Every length is multiplied by 2.

A'B' = 4 = 2 × 2

The angles do not change.

The image is the same shape, just bigger.

angles stay the same

5 Check

Let's check A.

Draw a line from O through A to A'.

From O to A: left 1, up 1.

O → A: left 1, up 1

From O to A': left 2, up 2.

That is 2 times the moves to A.

So A' is on the same line from O, 2 times as far.

Right!

O → A': left 2, up 2

Let's look back.

First: draw the shape.

Then: multiply each point.

Then: draw the image.

Then: what changes.

Last: check.

Answer
A'(−2, 2), B'(−6, 2) and C'(−2, 4)

Your turn

Try this one yourself, then check:

A(−2, 2) B(−4, 2) C(−2, 3): scale factor 2
Show the answer
A'(−4, 4), B'(−8, 4) and C'(−4, 6)

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