Scale changes just enlarge or shrink vectors by some positive scale factor.

A simple scale change operates on either the x-coordinate or the y-coordinate, stretching or shrinking sets of points either horizontally or vertically. In the diagrams, the effect of the operator on a simple rectangle is shown.

To scale all vectors by a factor c combine a horizontal scale change and a vertical scale change, both with a factor c.

Scaling in the x-direction with a scale factor less than 1

Scaling in the x-direction with a scale factor greater than 1

Scaling in the y-direction with a scale factor less than 1

Scaling in the y-direction with a scale factor greater than 1