Bilinear filtering is a texture filtering technique used in computer graphics to smooth out images when they are scaled or transformed. It works by taking the average of the four nearest pixel values surrounding a target pixel, which helps to reduce pixelation and create a more visually appealing result. This method is commonly used in video games and image processing to enhance the quality of rendered images. The process involves calculating the weighted average of these pixels based on their distance from the target pixel. By blending the colors of nearby pixels, bilinear filtering provides a smoother transition between colors, making images appear less blocky. This technique is often compared to other filtering methods, such as nearest neighbor filtering and trilinear filtering, which offer different levels of quality and performance.