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When the scale factor of enlargement is a fraction, it indicates that the new shape will be reduced in size compared to the original shape. Enlargement involves creating a new shape that is similar to the original, with corresponding lengths scaled by the scale factor.
If the scale factor is a fraction—such as 1/2 or 3/4—it means that each dimension of the shape is multiplied by a value less than 1. For example, if the original shape has a length of 4 units and the scale factor is 1/2, the new length after enlargement would be 4 * (1/2) = 2 units. This results in a smaller shape, maintaining the proportions of the original but at a reduced size.
This process stands in contrast to what occurs with a scale factor greater than one, where the shape enlarges, or where transformations like flipping or rotating may alter the position or orientation of the shape without changing its size. Thus, the correct outcome of using a fractional scale factor is that the shape gets smaller.