Dilation is a transformation that changes the size of a shape while keeping its proportions the same. This process involves enlarging or reducing a figure by a specific scale factor, which can be greater than or less than one. For example, if a triangle is dilated by a scale factor of 2, each side of the triangle becomes twice as long, but the shape remains similar to the original. In geometry, dilation is often centered around a point, known as the center of dilation. The distance from this center to any point on the shape is multiplied by the scale factor. This concept is important in various fields, including mathematics, art, and architecture, where maintaining proportions is essential.