Geometric transformations altering the position and size of figures are fundamental concepts in mathematics. One such scenario involves resizing a shape by a scale factor combined with shifting it to a new location. For instance, consider a triangle with vertices at (1,1), (2,1), and (1,2). Applying a dilation with a scale factor of 2, centered at the origin, would result in a new triangle with vertices at (2,2), (4,2), and (2,4). Subsequently, a translation, moving the figure 3 units to the right and 1 unit up, would shift these new vertices to (5,3), (7,3), and (5,5). This combined process demonstrates a change in both the dimensions and location of the original figure.
Understanding how to manipulate figures using these techniques has broad applications across various fields. In computer graphics, these transformations are essential for creating realistic animations and manipulating objects within a virtual environment. Architectural design relies on them to scale blueprints and position elements within a building’s plan. Historically, cartographers have utilized scaling techniques to create maps of varying sizes while maintaining proportional accuracy. The ability to precisely control the size and position of objects is therefore a valuable skill in many technical disciplines.