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Thin Lens Equation & Magnification Equation

Besides a diagram, you can also use the Thin Lens Equation and the Magnification Equation to determine characteristics of an image in curved lens (converging and diverging).

The Thin Lens Equation

1 / d0 + 1 / d= 1 / f

Where

d= distance from the object to the optical centre
d= distance from the image to the optical centre
f = focal length of the lens; distance from the optical centre to the principal focus

Object distances (d0) are always positive
Image distances (di) are positive for real images (opposite side) and negative for virtual (same side)
The focal length is positive for converging lenses and negative for diverging lenses

The Magnification Equation

M = hi / h= - di / d0

• Object height (h0) is positive
• Image height (hi) is positive for an upright image and negative for an inverted image