Step 1: Calculate the initial focal length
The relationship between optical power \( P \) and focal length \( f \) is given by:
\[
P = \frac{1}{f}.
\]
Thus, the initial focal length is:
\[
f_1 = \frac{1}{P_1} = \frac{1}{2.5} = 0.4 \, \text{m}.
\]
Step 2: Calculate the new focal length
After the optical power increases by 0.1 D, the new optical power becomes:
\[
P_2 = 2.5 + 0.1 = 2.6 \, \text{D}.
\]
The new focal length is:
\[
f_2 = \frac{1}{P_2} = \frac{1}{2.6} \approx 0.3846 \, \text{m}.
\]
Step 3: Calculate the relative decrease in focal length
The relative decrease in focal length is:
\[
\text{Relative decrease} = \frac{f_1 - f_2}{f_1} = \frac{0.4 - 0.3846}{0.4} = \frac{0.0154}{0.4} \approx 0.04.
\]
Thus, the correct answer is option (1) 0.04.