1. A method or scaling image data organized as rows of input pixels by a reduced rational factor of L/M, where L and M are integers, comprising the steps of: (a) selecting a left input pixel and a right input pixel and generating a left and right input pixel signals related to gray scale image intensity; (b) generating a period address signal with a modulo-L counter; (c) obtaining a left convolution kernel value from a look-up table containing L values and generating a left convolution kernel signal by using the period address signal as a look-up table address; (d) obtaining a right convolution kernel value from a look-up table containing L values and generating a right convolution kernel signal by using the period address signal as a look-up table address; (e) multiplying the left input pixel signal by the right convolution kernel signal; (f) multiplying the right input pixel signal by the right convolution kernel signal; (g) adding multiplied results of steps (e) and (f) to obtain a scaled output pixel signal; (h) selecting a new left input pixel and a new right input pixel and generating new left and right input pixel signals; and (i) returning to step (b) if all input pixels in a row have not been processed wherein the rows of input pixels are stored in an input image memory and wherein step (h) is performed by obtaining an input image memory address increment from an increment look-up table having L increment values which sum to M and generating an increment address signal, the increment look-up table being addressed in accordance with the period address signal, and wherein the rational factor L/M is reduced.