If the objective magnification is 4x and the ocular magnification is 10x, what is the total magnification?

Total magnification in a microscope is calculated by multiplying the magnification of the objective lens by the magnification of the ocular lens. In this case, the objective lens magnifies the image by 4x, and the ocular lens further magnifies it by 10x.

To find the total magnification, you multiply these two values together:

Total magnification = Objective magnification x Ocular magnification

Total magnification = 4x × 10x = 40x

This means that the image appears 40 times larger than its actual size when viewed through the microscope. Understanding this calculation is essential for effective microscopy, as it enables you to determine how much larger an object appears when using different combinations of objective and ocular lenses.