A negative scale factor in GCSE Mathematics is used in the enlargement transformation. The (absolute) value of the scale factor (i.e. ignoring the negative) indicates how many times each side of the object will change by. (This change will be an increase for a scale factor greater than 1, or a decrease for a scale factor of size less than 1). The negative in the scale factor means the image will be drawn in the opposite direction to the object from the centre of enlargement; this results in the image also being a reflection of the object. Loosely speaking, this will mean the shape gets 'flipped over' and 'drawn on the opposite side' (of the centre of enlargement). Look for an example with a clear diagram to help you visualise the result of applying an enlargement with a negative scale factor.
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