Enlargements (Edexcel IGCSE Maths A (Modular))

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Enlargements

What is an enlargement?

  • An enlargement changes the size and position of a shape

  • The length of each side of the shape is multiplied by a scale factor

    • If the scale factor is greater than 1 then the enlarged image will be bigger than the original object

    • If the scale factor is between 0 and 1 (fractional) then the enlarged image will be smaller than the original object

  • The centre of enlargement determines the position of the enlarged image

    • If the scale factor is greater than 1 then the enlarged image will be further away from the centre of enlargement

    • If the scale factor is between 0 and 1 then the enlarged image will be closer to the centre of enlargement

How do I enlarge a shape?

  • STEP 1

    Pick a vertex of the shape and count the horizontal and vertical distances from the centre of enlargement

  • STEP 2
    Multiply both the horizontal and vertical distances by the given scale factor

  • STEP 3
    Start at the centre of enlargement and measure the new distances to find the enlarged vertex

  • STEP 4
    Repeat the steps for the other vertices

    • You might be able to draw the enlarged shape from the first vertex by multiplying the original lengths by the scale factor

      • This can be done quickly if the shape is made up of vertical and horizontal lines

  • STEP 5
    Connect the vertices on the enlarged image and label it

How do I describe an enlargement?

  • To describe an enlargement, you must:

    • State that the transformation is an enlargement

    • State the scale factor

      • This may be an integer or a fraction

    • Give the coordinates of the centre of enlargement

  • To find the scale factor:

    • Pick a side of the original shape

    • Identify the corresponding side on the enlarged image

      • For a fractional enlargement, the side on the enlarged image will be smaller than the corresponding side on the original image

    • Divide the length of the enlarged side by the length of the original side

  • To find the centre of enlargement:

    • Pick a vertex of the original shape

    • Identify the corresponding vertex on the enlarged image

    • Draw a line going through these two vertices

    • Repeat this for the other vertices of the original shape

    • These lines will intersect at the centre of enlargement

How do I reverse an enlargement?

  • If a shape has been enlarged, you can perform a single transformation to return the shape to its original size and position

  • An enlargement can be reversed by multiplying the enlarged shape by the reciprocal of the original scale factor

    • The centre of enlargement is the same

  • For a shape enlarged by a scale factor of 3 with centre of enlargement (-1, 6)

    • The reverse transformation is

      • an enlargement of scale factor 1 third

      • with centre of enlargement (-1, 6)

Examiner Tips and Tricks

  • To check that you have enlarged a shape correctly:

    • Draw lines going from the centre of enlargement to each of the vertices of the original shape

    • Extend these lines

    • The lines should go through the corresponding vertices of the enlarged image

Worked Example

(a) On the grid below enlarge shape C using scale factor 2 and centre of enlargement (2, 1).

Label your enlarged shape C'.

An object labelled C with vertices at (4, 2), (4, 4), (5, 4), (5, 5), (6, 5), (6, 3), (5, 3) and (5, 2).

Start by marking on the centre of enlargement (CoE)

Count the number of squares in both a horizontal and vertical direction to go from the CoE to one of the vertices on the original object, this is 2 to the right and 3 up in this example

As the scale factor is 2, multiply these distances by 2, so they become 4 to the right and 6 up

Count these new distances from the CoE to the corresponding point on the enlarged image and mark it on

Draw a line through the CoE and the pair of corresponding points, they should line up in a straight line

An object labelled C with the COE marked at (2, 1) and a line going through the COE and one vertex on the shape.

Repeat this process for each of the vertices on the original object (or at least 2)

Join adjacent vertices on the enlarged image as you go

Label the enlarged image C'

An object labelled C with the enlarged image (COE = (2, 1) and SF = 2) labelled C'.

(b) Describe fully the single transformation that creates shape B from shape A.

An H-shaped object labelled A and a larger H-shaped object marked B.

We can see that the image is larger than the original object, therefore it must be an enlargement

As the enlarged image is bigger than the original object, the scale factor must be greater than 1

Compare two corresponding edges on the object and the image to find the scale factor

The height of the original "H" is 3 squares
The height of the enlarged "H" is 9 squares

therefore Scale space Factor space equals 9 over 3 equals 3

Draw a straight line through the CoE and a pair of corresponding points on the original object and the enlarged image

Repeat this step for as many vertices as you feel you need to so you can confidently locate the CoE
Do this for all pairs of vertices to be sure!

The point of intersection of the lines is the CoE

An H-shaped object labelled A and a lager H-shaped object labelled B. Straight lines between corresponding vertices on the shape show that the COE is at (9, 9).

Shape A has been enlarged using a scale factor of 3 and a centre of enlargement (9, 9) to create shape B

Worked Example

(a) On the grid below enlarge shape C using scale factor 1 half and centre of enlargement (4, 2).

Write down the four vertices of your enlarged shape.

A trapezium with vertices at points (-4, -2), (-2, 0), (-2, 4) and (-4, 6).

Mark the centre of enlargement at (4, 2)

Count the number of squares horizontally and vertically to any vertex - we've chosen the vertex at (-2, 4)

Trapezium with the centre of enlargement identified at point (4, 2).

Multiply these distance by the scale factor, 1 half

6 'right cross times 1 half equals 3 'right'

2 'down' cross times 1 half equals 1 'down'

Count these new distances (which should be smaller than the originals) from the CoE to find the corresponding point on the new image and mark it on

Repeat as required and draw lines through corresponding vertices and the CoE as a check

Use a logical order, working your way round the shape slowly, to ensure you do miss any vertices out

A trapezium with an enlarged image shown (COE = (4, 2), SF = 1/2).

The four vertices of the enlarged shape are (0, 0), (0, 4),  (1, 3) and (1, 1)

(b) Describe fully the single transformation that creates shape B from shape A.

An object labelled A with a smaller enlarged object labelled B.

We can see the image is smaller than the original so it is a fractional enlargement

Compare two corresponding edges to find the scale factor - we've used the top edge

scale factor = fraction numerator new space edge over denominator old space edge end fraction equals 2 over 6 equals 1 third

Draw straight lines through corresponding vertices on the original shape
Repeat this 3-4 times and you should find the lines intersect at the same point
This point will be the CoE

An object A and its enlarged object B with the COE marked on at point (3, -3).

Shape A has been enlarged using a scale factor of 1 thirdand a centre of enlargement (3, -3.5) to create shape B

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Dan Finlay

Author: Dan Finlay

Expertise: Maths Lead

Dan graduated from the University of Oxford with a First class degree in mathematics. As well as teaching maths for over 8 years, Dan has marked a range of exams for Edexcel, tutored students and taught A Level Accounting. Dan has a keen interest in statistics and probability and their real-life applications.

Lucy Kirkham

Author: Lucy Kirkham

Expertise: Head of STEM

Lucy has been a passionate Maths teacher for over 12 years, teaching maths across the UK and abroad helping to engage, interest and develop confidence in the subject at all levels.Working as a Head of Department and then Director of Maths, Lucy has advised schools and academy trusts in both Scotland and the East Midlands, where her role was to support and coach teachers to improve Maths teaching for all.