In scientific notation and basic electronics, the quantity 43 × 10^-3 represents which decimal value (express your understanding of milli = 10^-3 clearly)?

Introduction / Context:
Engineers frequently convert between scientific notation and plain decimals. The expression 43 × 10^-3 appears in circuit calculations (for example, 43 mA, 43 mV, or 43 ms). This question checks your fluency with powers of ten, especially the milli prefix, which equals 10^-3.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Quantity: 43 × 10^-3.
• 10^-3 means one-thousandth (0.001).
• No units are specified, so we focus purely on numerical conversion.

Concept / Approach:

Multiplying by 10^-3 shifts the decimal point three places to the left. You can also view 10^-3 as dividing by 1000. Both perspectives should yield the same result. This is identical to converting a base unit to the milli form in SI (e.g., A to mA, V to mV), but here we only convert numbers.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

Think in terms of milli: 43 milli-units is 0.043 of the base unit. Another check is long division: 43 / 1000 = 0.043.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

0.430 moves only one place (10^-1). 430 moves the decimal three places right (10^1 × 10^1 × 10^1). 43,000 is 43 × 10^3, the opposite of the required exponent.

Common Pitfalls:

Confusing 10^-3 with 10^3; forgetting that negative exponents shrink numbers; moving the decimal the wrong direction.

Final Answer:

0.043