A triangle is dilated by a scale factor of [tex]$n=\frac{1}{3}$[/tex]. Which statement is true regarding the dilation?

A. It is a reduction because [tex]$n\ \textgreater \ 1$[/tex].
B. It is a reduction because [tex][tex]$0\ \textless \ n\ \textless \ 1$[/tex][/tex].
C. It is an enlargement because [tex]$n\ \textgreater \ 1$[/tex].
D. It is an enlargement because [tex]$0\ \textgreater \ n\ \textgreater \ 1$[/tex].



Answer :

Let's analyze the dilation scale factor [tex]\( n = \frac{1}{3} \)[/tex].

To determine the effect of the dilation, it’s important to understand the meaning of the scale factor [tex]\( n \)[/tex].

1. Reduction (shrinkage):
- If the scale factor [tex]\( n \)[/tex] is between [tex]\( 0 \)[/tex] and [tex]\( 1 \)[/tex], i.e., [tex]\( 0 < n < 1 \)[/tex], the size of the image will be smaller than the original. This is known as a reduction.

2. Enlargement:
- If the scale factor [tex]\( n \)[/tex] is greater than [tex]\( 1 \)[/tex], i.e., [tex]\( n > 1 \)[/tex], the size of the image will be larger than the original. This is known as an enlargement.

Let's place our given scale factor into these two categories:

- For [tex]\( n = \frac{1}{3} \)[/tex]:
- It falls within the range [tex]\( 0 < n < 1 \)[/tex]. Thus, this qualifies as a reduction because the image size will be smaller than the original.

Now, review the given statements in the question:

1. It is a reduction because [tex]\( n > 1 \)[/tex].
- Incorrect, because for [tex]\( n = \frac{1}{3} \)[/tex], [tex]\( n < 1 \)[/tex].

2. It is a reduction because [tex]\( 0 < n < 1 \)[/tex].
- Correct, because the scale factor [tex]\( n = \frac{1}{3} \)[/tex] lies within the range [tex]\( 0 < n < 1 \)[/tex].

3. It is an enlargement because [tex]\( n > 1 \)[/tex].
- Incorrect, the scale factor [tex]\( n \)[/tex] is less than 1, not greater.

4. It is an enlargement because [tex]\( 0 > n > 1 \)[/tex].
- Incorrect and doesn't make logical sense, as there's no range where [tex]\( 0 > n > 1 \)[/tex].

Thus, the true statement regarding the dilation is:

It is a reduction because [tex]\( 0 < n < 1 \)[/tex]. (which corresponds to the second statement)

Therefore, the correct choice is statement number 2.