The transverse magnification from a lens is m = - di/do. What does the negative sign indicate about the image?

The transverse magnification from a lens is m = - di/do. What does the negative sign indicate about the image?

• A. The image is upright
• B. The image is inverted
• C. The image is blurred
• D. The image is virtual

Answer: (B)

The sign in the magnification m = - di/do tells you how the image’s orientation relates to the object. The minus sign means the image is flipped compared to the object when the image is real (di is positive). Real images are formed where light actually converges, and the rays cross, producing an upside-down picture, so the magnification comes out negative. If the image were virtual (di negative), the magnification would be positive, and the image would be upright. So the negative sign indicates inversion of the image.

The sign in the magnification m = - di/do tells you how the image’s orientation relates to the object. The minus sign means the image is flipped compared to the object when the image is real (di is positive). Real images are formed where light actually converges, and the rays cross, producing an upside-down picture, so the magnification comes out negative. If the image were virtual (di negative), the magnification would be positive, and the image would be upright. So the negative sign indicates inversion of the image.