A convex lens forms a real image at $60$ cm on one side of an object placed $20$ cm in front of it. Find the focal length of the lens.

Lens formula: $\dfrac{1}{f} = \dfrac{1}{v} - \dfrac{1}{u}$. Sign convention: $u = -20$ cm (object on the left), $v = +60$ cm (real image on the right). We have $\dfrac{1}{f} = \dfrac{1}{60} - \dfrac{1}{-20}$. That is $\dfrac{1}{f} = \dfrac{1}{60} + \dfrac{3}{60}$. That is $\dfrac{1}{f} = \dfrac{4}{60}$. So $\dfrac{1}{f} = \dfrac{1}{15}$. So $f = 15$ cm. **Trap.** Forgetting the sign on $u$ gives $\dfrac{1}{f} = \dfrac{1}{60} - \dfrac{1}{20} = -\dfrac{1}{30}$, leading to a negative $f$ — that's how option B (12) or A (10) creeps in.