1. The problem asks to express 143 cents in dollars. 2. We know that 100 cents equal 1 dollar. 3. To convert cents to dollars, divide the number of cents by 100. 4. The formula is: $$\text{dollars} = \frac{\text{cents}}{100}$$ 5. Substitute 143 for cents: $$\text{dollars} = \frac{143}{100}$$ 6. This fraction can be written as a decimal: $$\frac{143}{100} = 1.43$$ 7. Therefore, 143 cents equals 1.43 dollars. 8. The complete equation is: $$143 \text{ cents} = 1 \frac{43}{100} \text{ dollars} = 1.43 \text{ dollars}$$