lesson

The centre stays fixed

1 · Learn

An enlargement with positive scale factor less than one reduces distances from the centre in the same ratio. Corresponding angles remain equal. Specify the centre as well as the scale factor to define the transformation.

Area changes by the square of the length factor. A half-size enlargement does not halve the area; it quarters it.

CentreLength factor 1/2Area factor 1/4
Key words and supplied examples.

2 · Worked example

With centre (0,0) and scale factor 1/2, point (6,4) maps to (3,2).

3 · Your turn

Enlarge point (8,-2) by factor 1/2 about the origin.

Check your answer

(4,-1).

4 · Apply your learning

Draw the line from the centre through each point and check the distance ratio.

Adult guidance and safety

Check prerequisites, units and reasoning. Provide accurate diagrams and varied practice. Extension content needs suitable prior understanding; no GCSE board, tier or examination readiness is implied by this proposed sequence.

Open your writing and drawing pad

Write, draw or show your working. Use a mouse, pen or finger. This pad is not a submitted answer.

Not saved to your account. Download your drawing as PNG and your typed notes as TXT before leaving or refreshing. They are separate files. Do not enter private information.

Open a picture saved on this device to draw on it again. Opening replaces the drawing, but Undo can restore it. PNG only, up to 4 MB and 4096 × 4096 pixels. The picture stays in this browser; it is not uploaded. Paper lines in a saved picture become part of that picture.

Drawing is unavailable. Use the typed working area below.

Your pad is empty.

Open a UTF-8 TXT file from this device, up to 40 KB and 10,000 characters. It stays in this browser. Opening can be undone until you type again. Downloads keep a new copy; they do not change the file you opened.

Typed notes are not submitted answers.

Check a calculation · Year 5 onward

Use this only when your teacher or adult allows a calculator for the task. Show your thinking first. It does not replace mental or written arithmetic and does not mark your lesson answer.

Powers, roots and trigonometry · Year 7 onward

Use only when the task allows a calculator. Choose one operation at a time and record your working. Trigonometry here always uses degrees (DEG), not radians. Inverse sine, cosine and tangent return an angle, not a reciprocal. Keep exact fractions and π in answers when requested.

Approximate numerical results use up to 12 significant digits. Inverse sine returns −90° to 90°, inverse cosine 0° to 180°, and inverse tangent −90° to 90°; these are principal values, not every possible solution of a trigonometric equation.

Practice this lesson

Lesson resources

Browse the available practice activities and worksheets for this lesson.

Open course resources

Your progress

Ready to continue?