26.9k views
3 votes
Why isn't a dilation considered a rigid transformation?

User Achu
by
7.4k points

1 Answer

3 votes
It's not rigid because dilations (scale factor not equal to 1) change the length of the segments, or the distances between the points. You'll get a similar figure but it won't be congruent. For example, if the scale factor is 3, then the distances will be three times as large; or the lengths will be 3 times as long.

To be "rigid", the lengths must be kept the same. In contrast, a reflection is rigid because the distances are kept the same. The only thing changing is the orientation (clockwise to counter-clockwise, or vice versa).
User Nicholas Betts
by
7.4k points

No related questions found

Welcome to QAmmunity.org, where you can ask questions and receive answers from other members of our community.

9.4m questions

12.2m answers

Categories