The correct option is A 3.12 cm
Given,
Length of the compound microscope L=18 cm
Magnifying power, MP=28 (for relaxed eye)
Focal length of the eyepiece, fe=4 cm
We know that for relaxed eye viewing, the final image is formed at infinity. So, for eyepiece, object distance will be equal to fe
Now, length of microscope L=v0+fe
18=v0+4
∴v0=14 cm
Now, MP=v0u0×Dfe
⇒28=14u0×254
∴u0=3.125 cm
Hence, (A) is the correct answer.