Final answer:
Dilation in geometry indicates a transformation that changes an object's size while preserving its shape through a scale factor. The type of dilation (reduction or enlargement) and the scale factor would be determined by the ratio of corresponding dimensions between the original and the dilated figures.
Step-by-step explanation:
When we talk about dilation in geometry, we are referring to a transformation that changes the size of a figure but preserves its shape. This process involves a scale factor which can indicate whether the figure is being reduced or enlarged. The notation X'y'z' suggests that the original figure xyz has been subjected to dilation. To determine the type of dilation and the scale factor, you would look for a consistent ratio between corresponding dimensions in xyz and X'y'z'.
For instance, if each dimension of X'y'z' is half the corresponding dimension of xyz, then the scale factor would be 1/2, meaning that X'y'z' is a reduced version of xyz. Conversely, if each dimension of X'y'z' is twice the size of xyz, then the scale factor is 2, indicating an enlargement. Without specific measurements provided, we cannot ascertain the exact scale factor, but we understand that it is the ratio that describes the amount of scaling.