Question

psat math midterm assessment
possible points 5
select the statement that is true
a dilation is a type of translation that only reduces a figure.
a dilation is a type of transformation that only reduces a figure.
a dilation is a type of translation that reduces or enlarges a figure.
a dilation is a type of transformation that reduces or enlarges a figure.

Explanation:

1. Analyze Option A: Dilation is not a translation (translation moves a figure without resizing/rotating/reflection), and dilation can enlarge or reduce, not only reduce. Eliminate A.
2. Analyze Option B: Dilation can both reduce and enlarge a figure, not only reduce. Eliminate B.
3. Analyze Option C: Dilation is not a translation (translation preserves size/shape, dilation changes size). Eliminate C.
4. Analyze Option D: Dilation is a transformation (changes size of a figure) that can reduce (scale factor \(0 < k < 1\)) or enlarge (scale factor \(k>1\)) a figure. This matches the definition.

Answer:

D. A dilation is a type of transformation that reduces or enlarges a figure.