DON BOSCO TECHNICAL INSTITUTE –MAKATI

A. Arnaiz Avenue Corner Chino Roces Avenue, Makati City

JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT

School Year 2021-2022

Asynchronous Activity: Lens Equation

Objectives:
• Identify the equation being used to know the quantitative characteristics
of an image in lenses
• Solve for the quantitative characteristics of an image formed by lenses.

• Demonstrate perseverance in understanding the solution to a

problem.
•

I. Introduction

In the previous discussion, we described the two methods on how to predict the
characteristics of an image formed by curved mirrors. These characteristics were
summarized using the acronym L.O.S.T. which means L for location, O for orientation, S for
size, and T for type of an image. The first method was through ray diagram where we used
rays to represent the beams of light. The second method was analytical where we used the
mirror equation given by
1 1 1
= + . (1)
𝑓 𝑑𝑜 𝑑𝑖
We have also derived an equation for the focal length, object distance, and image
distance. For the focal length we have,
∗𝑑
𝑑 𝑓 = 𝑜 𝑖. (2)
𝑑𝑜+𝑑𝑖
For the object distance we have,
𝑓 ∗𝑑 (3)
𝑑𝑜 = 𝑑 𝑖 − 𝑓𝑖 .
𝑑𝑜 −𝑓 And for the image distance we have,
𝑓 ∗𝑑 (4) These
three equations describe the
𝑑𝑖 = 𝑜
.
location and the type of the image.
To describe the orientation and size of the image, we introduce the equation for the
magnification given by two equations,

Prepared by: Rafael F. Arguelles

 ℎ𝑖
𝑀=− 𝑑𝑖 and 𝑀= , (5)
𝑑𝑜 ℎ𝑜
where ℎ𝑜 and ℎ𝑖 are the object height and the image height, respectively.

II. Discussion of Lens Equation

Like in curved mirrors, the characteristics of the image formed by lenses can be
predicted using ray diagram method and analytical method. We focus our discussion only in
analytical method. To describe the characteristics of the image formed by lenses, we use the
equations given in Part I.

Before we proceed to solving sample problems, we must be familiarized first with

the sign conventions of focal length, image distance, image height, object distance, and
object height. The sign conventions for these quantities are as follows:
• Focal length, f is “+” if the lens is a converging lens (doble convex lens).
• Focal length, f is “−” if the lens is a diverging lens (doble concave lens).
• Image distance, 𝑑𝑖 is “+” if the image is located on the opposite side of the lens.
Therefore, the image is real.
• Image distance, 𝑑𝑖 is “−” if the image is located on the object’s side of the lens.
Therefore, the image is virtual.
• Image height, ℎ𝑖 is “+” if the image is an upright image. Therefore, the image is
virtual.
• Image height, ℎ𝑖 is “−” if the image is an inverted image. Therefore, the image is real.

Let us also recall the interpretations of the result of magnification:

• The image is upright if the sign of the magnification is positive.
• The image is inverted if the sign of the magnification is negative.
• The image is reduced if the value of the magnification is less than 1.
• The image is magnified if the value of the magnification is greater than 1.
• The image is the same size as the object if the value of the magnification is equal to 1.

Let’s apply these sign conventions to our lens equation and magnification equation
by solving sample problems. We follow the G.R.E.S.A. format for the solution for
simplification.

Example 1:

A 4.00-cm tall light bulb is placed a distance of 45.7 cm from a double convex lens
(converging lens) having a focal length of 15.2 cm. Determine the image distance and the
image size.

Given: Object height, ℎ𝑜 = 4.00 cm

Object distance, 𝑑𝑜 = 45.7 cm Focal

Prepared by: Rafael F. Arguelles

 length, f = 15.2 cm
Required: Image distance, 𝑑𝑖
Image size (height), ℎ𝑖

Equation: For image distance, we use equation 4 given by

𝑓 ∗𝑑

𝑑𝑖 = 𝑑𝑜 −𝑜 𝑓.

For image size, we equate the two equations of the magnification

given by equations 5.
𝑀 = − 𝑑𝑖 𝑀 = ℎ𝑖,
𝑑𝑜 ℎ𝑜

ℎ𝑖 = − 𝑑𝑖 ℎ𝑜 𝑑𝑜

Deriving the equation for the image size we have,

ℎ𝑖 = − 𝑑𝑖𝑑∗𝑜ℎ𝑜

Solution: Substitute the given values in the equations for the image distance and
image size.

𝑑𝑖 45.7 𝑐𝑚 − 15.2 𝑐𝑚

𝑑𝑖 = 22.8 𝑐𝑚

ℎ𝑖 = − 45.7 𝑐𝑚

ℎ𝑖 = −1.99 𝑐𝑚

Answer: The image distance, 𝑑𝑖 = 22.8 𝑐𝑚 and

the image size, ℎ𝑖 = −1.99 𝑐𝑚

To interpret the results, we begin with the value of the image distance by applying
the sign conventions. The sign of the image distance is positive; therefore, the image is
located on the opposite side of the lens and the type of image formed is real. The image
height has a negative value therefore the orientation of the image is inverted and again, real.
We can also determine if the image of the light bulb is reduced or magnified. To do that, we
use the magnification equation either in terms of object distance and image distance or in
terms of object height and image height. Substituting the values of object distance and image
distance and solving the magnification we have,

Prepared by: Rafael F. Arguelles

 𝑑𝑖
𝑀=−
𝑑𝑜

22.8 𝑐𝑚
𝑀=−
45.7 𝑐𝑚

𝑀 = −0.50𝑥

The result shows that the image is reduced by 0.50x (0.50 times) so the observed image is
approximately half the size of the object. In describing the size of the image, we always ignore the
sign of the value, and we compare it to 1 whether the value of the magnification is greater than 1,
equal to one or less than 1. Since 0.50 is less than 1, then the image size is reduced. The negative
sign of the magnification again, tells us that the orientation is inverted.

Example 2:

A 4.00-cm tall light bulb is placed a distance of 35.5 cm from a diverging lens having
a focal length of −12.2 cm. Determine the image distance and the image size.

Given: Object height, ℎ𝑜 = 4.00 cm

Object distance, 𝑑𝑜 = 35.5 cm Focal
length, f = −12.2 cm

Required: Image distance, 𝑑𝑖

Image size (height), ℎ𝑖

Equation: For image distance, we use equation 4 given by

𝑓 ∗𝑑

𝑑𝑖 = 𝑑 𝑜 − 𝑜 𝑓.

For image size, we use the equation derived in Example 1.

𝑑
ℎ𝑖 = − 𝑖𝑑∗𝑜ℎ𝑜

Solution: Substitute the given values in the equations for the image distance
and image size.

(−12.2 𝑐𝑚)∗(35.5 𝑐𝑚)

𝑑𝑖 = − 35.5 𝑐𝑚 −12.2 𝑐𝑚

Prepared by: Rafael F. Arguelles

 𝑑𝑖 = − 9.08 𝑐𝑚

ℎ𝑖 = − 35.5 𝑐𝑚

ℎ𝑖 = 1.02 𝑐𝑚

Answer: The image distance, 𝑑𝑖 = − 9.08 𝑐𝑚 and

the image size, ℎ𝑖 = 1.02 𝑐𝑚

Let us now interpret the results like what we did in Example 1. We begin with the
value of the image distance by applying the sign conventions. The image distance has a
positive value; therefore, the image is located on the object’s side of the lens and the type of
image formed is virtual. The image height has a positive value therefore the orientation of
the image is upright and again, virtual. We can also solve the magnification of the image just
like in Example 1.
𝑖
𝑑
𝑀=−
𝑑𝑜

(−9.08 𝑐𝑚)
𝑀=−
35.5 𝑐𝑚

𝑀 = 0.26𝑥
From this result, we can see that the orientation of the image is upright since the
sign of the magnification is positive. We can also see that the image is reduced because the
value of the magnification is less than 1. This interpretation of the result for a diverging lens
is somewhat expected. If we recall the characteristics of the image formed by diverging lens,
they share the same characteristics such as virtual, upright, and reduced image and located
on the same side as the object. Take note that this is always the case when we use a
diverging lens.

The solutions in examples 1 and2 are straight froward. We can easily substitute the
given values to the appropriate equations and immediately get the answer. In interpreting
the results, we always look at the sign conventions mentioned in the second paragraph of
Part II. This will guide us determine the characteristics of the image formed by converging
and diverging lenses.

III. Assessment

Direction: Solve the following problems below and provide a complete solution for each of
the chosen problem. You are required to solve 4 problems only. Choose the simplest
problem for you. (Note: If you chose problem number 7 and you answered it correctly you
will get plus 5 points in your total score.)

Prepared by: Rafael F. Arguelles

 1. Determine the image distance and image height for a 5-cm tall object placed 45.0 cm
from a double convex lens having a focal length of 15.0 cm. How magnified or reduced
the image is compared to the object?

2. Determine the image distance and image height for a 5-cm tall object placed 30.0 cm
from a double concave lens having a focal length of −15.0 cm. Is the image reduced or
magnified? Prove your answer.

3. A magnified, inverted image is located a distance of 32.0 cm from a double convex lens
with a focal length of 12.0 cm. Determine the object distance and tell whether the image
is real or virtual.

Prepared by: Rafael F. Arguelles

 4. A double concave lens has a focal length of −10.8 cm. An object is placed 32.7 cm from
the lens's surface. Determine the image distance and the magnification.

5. A 2.8-cm diameter coin is placed a distance of 25.0 cm from a double concave lens that
has a focal length of -12.0 cm. Determine the image distance and the diameter of the
image.
6. Determine the focal length of a double concave lens that produces an image that is 16.0
cm behind the lens when the object is 28.5 cm from the lens.
7. An inverted image is magnified by 2 when the object is placed 22 cm in front of a double
convex lens. Determine the image distance and the focal length of the lens.

Prepared by: Rafael F. Arguelles

Prepared by: Rafael F. Arguelles