This gives the reduced dimensions as 1.5 units and 1 unit. Similarly, to create a reduced figure, we multiply the original dimensions with the scale factor of 1/2. This gives the new dimensions as 9 units and 6 units respectively. To create an enlarged figure, the dimensions are multiplied by the scale factor of 3 using the formula: Dimensions of the new shape = Dimensions of the original shape × Scale factor. In the following figure, the original rectangle has the dimensions given as 3 units and 2 units. Observe the following figure which shows how the scale factor can change the original figure to its larger and smaller versions.

Hence, we can use the scale factor to get the dimensions of the changed figures. Now, if we increase the size of this rectangle by a scale factor of 2, the sides will become 10 units and 4 units, respectively.

For example, a rectangle has a length of 5 units and a width of 2 units. The scale factor can be calculated if the dimensions of the original figure and the dimensions of the dilated (increased or decreased) figure are known. It is used to increase or decrease the size of an object. Scale factor is defined as the number or the conversion factor which is used to change the size of a figure without changing its shape.