Sign Convention for Mirrors

SIGN CONVENTION - DEFINITION

Sign convention is a set of rules to set signs for image distance, object distance, focal length, etc for mathematical analysis of image
formation. According to it:
Object is always placed to the left of mirror
All distances are measured from the pole of the mirror.
Distances measured in the direction of the incident ray are positive and the distances measured in the direction opposite to that of the
incident rays are negative.
Distances measured along y-axis above the principal axis are positive and that measured along y-axis below the principal axis are
negative.
Note: Sign convention can be reversed and will still give the correct results. 

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RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FOCAL LENGTH, IMAGE DISTANCE AND OBJECT DISTANCE FOR SPHERICAL
MIRRORS - RESULT

The figure shows an object AB at a distance u from the pole of a concave mirror. The image A1 B1 is formed at a distance v from the mirror.
The position of the image is obtained by drawing a ray diagram.
Consider the ΔA1 CB1 and ΔACB
∠A1 CB1 = ∠ACB (vertically opposite angles)
∠AB1 C = ∠ABC (right angles)
∠B1 A1 C = ∠BAC (third angle will also become equal)
∴ ΔA1 CB1 and ΔACB are similar 
AB BC
∴ =
A1 B1 B1 C
Similarly ΔFB1 A1 and ΔFED are similar
ED EF
∴ =
A1 B1 FB1
But ED = AB
AB EF
=
A1 B1 FB1
If D is very close to P then EF = PF
BC PF
=
B1 C FB1
BC = P C − P B
B1 C = P B1 − P C

FB1 = P B1 − P F
PC − PB PF
=
P B1 − P C P B1 − P F
But P C = R, P B = u, P B1 = v, P F = f
Using sign convention, 
P C = −R, P B = −u, P F = −fandP B1 = −v
So we can equation (3) as :
−R − (−u) −f
=
−v − (−R) −v − (−f)
−R + u −f
=
−v + R −v + f
u−R f
=
R−v v−f
uv − uf − Rv + Rf = Rf − vf
uv − uf − Rv = Rf − Rf − vf
uv − uf − Rv = −vf
uv − uf − 2fv = −vf    (R = 2f)
uv − uf = 2fv − fv
uv − uf = fv
Dividing throughout by uvf, we will get :
1 1 1
− =
f v u
1 1 1
= +
f v u
This is the required equation. 
MAGNIFICATION OF MIRRORS - DEFINITION
Magnification is the increase in the image size produced by spherical mirrors with respect to the object size. It is the ratio of the height of
the image to the height of the object and is denoted as m. The magnification, m produced by a spherical mirror can be expressed as:
h
m=
h
Here, h is the height of image and h is the height of the object.
 
Magnification is also equal to the ratio of image distance to the object distance.
v
m=
u
As the object is always above the principal axis, the height of the object is always positive. But sign for image height may vary according
to the type of image formed. The height of virtual images should be taken positive while the height of real images should be taken
negative.

CALCULATE MAGNIFICATION OF CONVEX MIRROR - EXAMPLE

Problem: 
An object is placed at a distance 2 f from the pole of a convex mirror of focal length f . The linear magnification is:
Solution: 
Here,
u = −2f
v =?

1 1 1
+ =
v u f
1 1 1
+ =
v −2f f
1 3
=
v 2f
2f
v=
3

Now,
−v
M=
u

2f
=− 3
(−2f)
1
=
3
(M is positive for convex mirror)
CALCULATE MAGNIFICATION OF CONCAVE MIRROR - EXAMPLE
Problem: 
The image of an object placed in front of a concave mirror of focal length 12 cm is formed at a point which is 10 cm more distant from the
mirror than the object. The magnification of the image is:
Solution: 
1 1 1
We have:  = +
f u v
Given: f = 12 cm and v = u + 10
1 1 1
⟹ = +
12 u u + 10
⟹ u = 20 cm
⟹ v = 20 + 10 = 30 cm
v 30
We have magnification, m = = = 1.5
u 20