Focal length, $(f)$ of the concave mirror = $-$10 cm
To find: Distance of the object, $u$ from the mirror.
Solution:
Case-1
The image is real, and its magnification, $m$ is $-$2.
From the magnification formula, we know that-
$m=-\frac{v}{u}$
Substituting the given values in the magnification formula we get-
$-2=-\frac{v}{u}$
$-2u=-v$
$v=2u$
Now, from the mirror formula, we know that-
$\frac{1}{f}=\frac{1}{v}+\frac{1}{u}$
Substituting the given values in the mirror formula we get-
$\frac{1}{(-10)}=\frac{1}{2u}+\frac{1}{u}$
$\frac{1}{-10}=\frac{1+2}{2u}$
$\frac{1}{-10}=\frac{3}{2u}$
$2u=-10\times {3}$
$u=\frac {-10\times 3}{2}$
$u=-15cm$
Thus, the object should be placed at a distance of 15 cm in front of the concave mirror.
Case-2
The image is virtual and its magnification, $m$ is +2.
From the magnification formula, we know that-
$m=-\frac{v}{u}$
Substituting the given values in the magnification formula we get-
$-2=-\frac{v}{u}$
$-2u=-v$
$v=2u$
Now, from the mirror formula, we know that-
$\frac{1}{f}=\frac{1}{v}+\frac{1}{u}$
Substituting the given values in the mirror formula we get-
$\frac{1}{(-10)}=\frac{1}{(-2u)}+\frac{1}{u}$
$\frac{1}{-10}=-\frac{1}{2u}+\frac{1}{u}$
$\frac{1}{-10}=\frac{-1+2}{2u}$
$\frac{1}{-10}=\frac{1}{2u}$
$2u=-10$
$u=\frac{-10}{2}$
$u=-5cm$
Thus, the object should be placed at a distance of 5 cm in front of the concave mirror.