By lens formula: \(\frac{1}{v}-\frac{1}{u}=\frac{1}{f}\)
\(\frac{1}{V}-\frac{1}{(-a)}=\frac{1}{f}\)
or, \(\frac{1}{v}=\frac{1}{f}-\frac{1}{a}\) ...... \((i)\)
Mirror forms image at equal distance from mirror
Now, again from lens formula
\(\frac{3}{a}-\frac{1}{V}=\frac{1}{f}\)
\({\frac{3}{a} - \frac{1}{f} + \frac{1}{a} = \frac{1}{f}}\) [From eqn. \((i)\)]
Hence, \(a=2f\)