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Lesson 7 of 11
  • Year 10
  • Higher

Enlargement using a negative scale factor

I can perform a given enlargement on an object.

Lesson 7 of 11
New
New
  • Year 10
  • Higher

Enlargement using a negative scale factor

I can perform a given enlargement on an object.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Each length in the shape is multiplied by the scale factor.
  2. Each vertex in the object is a given distance from the centre of enlargement.
  3. This distance is also multiplied by the scale factor to give the distance of the image's vertex.
  4. A negative scale factor produces an image that is the other side of centre of enlargement.
  5. To enlarge, you need the centre of enlargement and a scale factor.

Keywords

  • Transformation - A transformation is a process that may change the size, orientation or position of a shape.

  • Enlargement - Enlargement is a transformation that causes a change of size.

  • Scale factor - A scale factor is the multiplier between similar shapes that describes how large one shape is compared to the other.

  • Centre of enlargement - The centre of enlargement is the point from which a shape is enlarged.

Common misconception

Pupils may think that a negative scale factor creates a smaller image than the object.

Remind them that the absolute value will be less than 1 and greater than 0 to create a smaller image. Whether the scale factor is positive or negative does not affect this.


To help you plan your year 10 maths lesson on: Enlargement using a negative scale factor, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

You could discuss how column vectors and enlarging by a negative scale factor are similar and linked.
Teacher tip

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
A transformation is a process that may change the , orientation or position of a shape.

Correct Answer: size

Q2.
Shape B is enlarged to give shape A. What is the scale factor of this enlargement?

An image in a quiz
$$3$$
$$2$$
$$\frac{1}{2}$$
Correct answer: $$\frac{1}{3}$$
$$\frac{1}{9}$$

Q3.
Three Oak pupils enlarge the same shape. Whose diagrams are incorrect?

Correct answer: Aisha's enlargement.
Correct answer: Jacobs's enlargement.
Jun's enlargement.

Q4.
Shape B is enlarged to give shape A. What is the scale factor of this enlargement?

An image in a quiz
$$3$$
$$2$$
$$\frac{3}{2}$$
Correct answer: $$\frac{2}{3}$$

Q5.
Shape B is enlarged to give shape A. The centre of the enlargement is at (-3, ).

An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: 4, four

Q6.
Describe the transformation that maps shape A onto shape B.

An image in a quiz
An enlargement scale factor $$\frac{1}{2}$$, centre (0,0)
Correct answer: An enlargement scale factor $$\frac{1}{2}$$, centre (-1, -1)
An enlargement scale factor $$\frac{1}{2}$$, centre (0, -1)
An enlargement scale factor $$2$$, centre (0, 0)
An enlargement scale factor $$\frac{1}{2}$$

Assessment exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
When the scale factor of an enlargement is negative, the image is a rotation of ° of the object.

Correct Answer: 180

Q2.
Which diagram shows an enlargement by a negative scale factor?

An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz

Q3.
Laura says, "When you enlarge an object by a fractional scale factor, the image is always smaller than the object." Is Laura correct? Justify your answer.

Yes, any enlargement by a scale factor less than 1 gives a smaller image.
No, the scale factor could be negative so the image will be larger.
Correct answer: No, a fraction may have an absolute value greater than 1 such as $$\frac{3}{2}$$

Q4.
Shape A is enlarged to give shape B. The scale factor of this enlargement is .

An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: -2, minus 2, negative 2

Q5.
Shape A is enlarged to give shape B. The centre of enlargement is at the .

An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: origin, point (0, 0), (0,0), (0, 0)

Q6.
Shape A is transformed to give shape B. Describe the transformation.

An image in a quiz
An enlargement scale factor $$\frac{3}{2}$$, centre $$(4, 4)$$
An enlargement scale factor $$-\frac{3}{2}$$, centre $$(0, 0)$$
Correct answer: An enlargement scale factor $$-\frac{5}{2}$$, centre $$(4, 4)$$
An enlargement scale factor $$-\frac{5}{2}$$, centre $$(0, 0)$$
An enlargement scale factor $$\frac{5}{2}$$, centre $$(4, 4)$$