Magnification is an enlargement of the specimen which looks
bigger as the magnification increases. Resolution is the the
smallest increment available. The difference between these can be
explained with the example of a ruler that has 1/8" markings.
Magnification will make the separation of the markings look bigger,
but the resolution of the ruler doesn't change, the markings are
still 1/8" apart. However, magnification can improve the resolution
because you can now see things bigger. For example the separation
between the markings of the ruler could be divided down even more
under magnification.