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Dilation Concepts and Practice

Sep 28, 2025

Overview

This lesson focused on understanding and performing dilations (resizing) of geometric figures on a square grid, using both estimation and coordinate methods, and applying these concepts to various shapes and transformations.

Estimating Scale Factor and Understanding Dilations

  • A dilation moves points away from a center by a scale factor (S), enlarging or reducing the figure.
  • Estimate scale factor by comparing distances from the center before and after dilation.
  • A scale factor greater than 1 enlarges the figure; less than 1 reduces it.
  • Dilation with a scale factor of 2 doubles the distance from the center to each point.

Performing Dilations on a Square Grid

  • To dilate a point, count units from the center, then multiply each distance by the scale factor.
  • For scale factor 2: repeat the movement from the center to each vertex to double the distance.
  • For scale factor ½: halve the distance from the center to each point.
  • Dilation keeps points aligned on straight lines (rays) from the center.

Using Coordinates for Dilations

  • On a coordinate grid, use (x, y) distances from the center to each point.
  • Multiply both the x and y differences by the scale factor to find the image's position.
  • The new coordinates are calculated as:
    • (center_x + scale factor Ă— (point_x – center_x), center_y + scale factor Ă— (point_y – center_y))

Card Sort Activity & Examples

  • Practice dilations with various centers and scale factors, applying the above coordinate rule.
  • Shapes expand or contract but stay on the same rays from the center.
  • Check correctness by ensuring all images align with original-to-center rays.

Dilating Circles and Special Shapes

  • When the center is the origin and the shape is a circle, multiply the radius by the scale factor.
  • The origin remains fixed under dilation.

Homework Concepts & Practice

  • Dilated triangle images have the same angles but sides are proportional, not necessarily congruent.
  • Practice dilating quadrilaterals and other shapes with different centers and scale factors.
  • Use supplementary and vertical angle rules for related angle questions.
  • Describe combined transformations such as rotation plus translation.

Key Terms & Definitions

  • Dilation — resizing a figure from a center point by a scale factor.
  • Scale Factor (S) — the multiplier determining how much the figure enlarges or shrinks.
  • Center of Dilation — the fixed point from which all points move.
  • Ray — a straight line from the center through a point, guiding its dilation.
  • Congruent — identical in form and size; dilated figures with S ≠ 1 are similar, not congruent.
  • Supplementary Angles — two angles that sum to 180°.

Action Items / Next Steps

  • Complete tonight’s homework on dilations and coordinate calculations.
  • Practice dilating shapes with different scale factors and centers on graph paper.
  • Review key dilation formula and check homework answers for alignment with rays from the center.