The smallest 4-digit number that can be formed using the digits 8301 is 1038.
To understand how we arrive at this number, we must arrange the digits in ascending order while keeping in mind the rules of forming a valid 4-digit number. The digits we have are 8, 3, 0, and 1.
First, observe that the smallest digit is 0, but we cannot start a 4-digit number with 0, as this would make it a 3-digit number. Therefore, we must start with the next smallest digit, which is 1.
Next, after placing 1, we will arrange the remaining digits (0, 3, and 8) in ascending order. When we line them up, we get 0, 3, and 8.
Putting it all together, we get 1038.