Concept:
A dentist uses a
concave mirror to obtain a magnified virtual image of the tooth.
The mirror formula is
\[
\frac{1}{f}
=
\frac{1}{v}
+
\frac{1}{u}.
\]
Magnification is
\[
m=-\frac{v}{u}.
\]
Step 1: Write the sign convention values.
For a concave mirror,
\[
f=-24\,\text{mm},
\qquad
u=-16\,\text{mm}.
\]
Step 2: Find the image distance using the mirror formula.
\[
\frac{1}{f}
=
\frac{1}{v}
+
\frac{1}{u}.
\]
Substituting,
\[
\frac{-1}{24}
=
\frac{1}{v}
-
\frac{1}{16}.
\]
\[
\frac{1}{v}
=
-\frac{1}{24}
+
\frac{1}{16}.
\]
\[
=
\frac{-2+3}{48}.
\]
\[
=
\frac{1}{48}.
\]
Hence,
\[
v=48\,\text{mm}.
\]
Step 3: Calculate the magnification.
\[
m
=
-\frac{v}{u}.
\]
\[
=
-\frac{48}{-16}.
\]
\[
=3.
\]
Therefore,
\[
\boxed{m=3}
\]
\[
\boxed{\text{Answer = (B)}}
\]