Final answer:
Magnification is the process used by microscopes to enlarge an image, which involves multiplying the magnification of the objective lens by that of the ocular lens.
Step-by-step explanation:
Magnification in the context of microscopy refers to the process of enlarging the image of an object compared to its actual size. A microscope's ability to magnify involves a compound system of lenses, which includes both the objective and ocular (eyepiece) lenses. For instance, if an objective lens magnifies an object 40 times (40x), and the ocular lens provides an additional magnification of 10 times (10x), the total magnification is the product of these two numbers. Therefore, in this example, the total magnification would be 400x. In medical and legal documentation, as well as in educational illustrations, accurate magnification helps in the better evaluation and understanding of micrographs.