Final answer:
Dilation is the process that changes the size of a graph by stretching or compressing it, which, when applied to a function, affects its slope and makes the graph wider or narrower.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process that changes the size of a graph by stretching or compressing it is known as dilation. By multiplying the function by a number, you can affect the slope, making the graph appear wider or narrower. For instance, if you have a linear equation y = mx + b, where m is the slope and b is the y-intercept, and you multiply the entire equation by a constant c, you will change the steepness of the line.
Specifically, if |c| > 1, the graph will become narrower (increase in steepness), while if 0 < |c| < 1, the graph will become wider (decrease in steepness). This is different from a reflection, translation, or general transformation, which could also alter the graph's position or orientation but not its steepness or 'width' in the same manner as dilation does.