To resize a symbol instance, what action should you take?

To resize a symbol instance, selecting the symbol and using the Scale tool is the most direct and effective method. The Scale tool allows you to click and drag on the symbol instance to visually resize it in your document. This approach is helpful because it enables you to see the changes in real-time as you adjust the size, allowing for more precise control over how the symbol instance fits within your design.

In addition, using the Scale tool ensures that the aspect ratio of the symbol remains intact if you hold down the Shift key while scaling. This is particularly important for maintaining the visual integrity of design elements that may be complex or detailed.

Other methods, such as double-clicking the symbol in the Symbols panel, are focused on editing the symbol definition itself rather than resizing an instance of it. Similarly, while right-clicking and selecting Resize Symbol may seem like a valid approach, such an option typically does not exist in Illustrator's workflow for symbol instances. Adjusting the size via the Transform panel is another valid technique, but it requires entering specific numerical values, which might not be as intuitive for quick adjustments when compared to the visual feedback provided by the Scale tool.