Scale Factors

A scale factor is the enlargement, whether positive or negative, of a shape by a specific amount.

To fully understand scale factors, we will begin by explaining what is means for a shape to be enlarged by a scale factor of 2. An enlargement of a scale factor of 2 means that the new shape would have all its sides doubled.  Likewise, with an enlargement of a scale factor of ½ means that the new shape would have all its sides halved.

Example

A 1cm \times 1cm square enlarged by a scale factor of 4 becomes a 4cm \times 4cm square.