Answer: The correct option is
(C) -4.
Step-by-step explanation: Given that a point (-1, 3) is dilated with the center of dilation at the origin and the image of the point is (4,-12).
We are to find the scale factor of the dilation.
We know that
when a point (a, b) is dilated about the origin to another point (c, d), then its scale of dilation is given by
[tex]s=\dfrac{c}{a}=\dfrac{d}{b}.[/tex]
Therefore, for the given dilation, the scale factor of dilation is given by
[tex]s=\dfrac{4}{-3}=\dfrac{-12}{3}=-4.[/tex]
Thus, the required scale factor is -4.
Option (C) is CORRECT.