PURPOSE: To shorten a processing time by providing the image interpolating/ contracting system with plural methods for obtaining respective interpolated results by using the data of one point, the data of two adjacent points in the X direction, the data of two adjacent points in the Y direction, and the data of four adjacent points.

CONSTITUTION: The 1st method for obtaining an interpolated result by using the data of one point is applied to A00 and the 2nd method for obtaining an interpolated result by using the data of two adjacent points in the X direction is applied to A01. The 3rd method for obtaining an interpolated result by using the data of two adjacent points in the Y direction is applied to A10, and the 4th method for obtaining an interpolated result by using four adjacent points is applied to A11 and interpolation is repeated. The image obtained by the above methods is contracted from the image data of nine points to the image of four points, i.e. 2/3. Thus, the processing time can be shortened.