Which measurement system writes Arabic numbers first?

The apothecary measurement system is historically significant in the field of medicine and pharmacy, primarily used for the dispensing of medications. It employs Arabic numerals first when denoting quantities of ingredients in prescriptions. For example, a measurement might read "5 grains" or "2 drams," where the Arabic number precedes the unit of measurement. This numeral system emphasizes clear communication of doses, a crucial aspect in pharmacology where precision is vital for patient safety and effective treatment outcomes.

The other systems mentioned—metric, imperial, and SI—also utilize numbers, but they might not have the same emphasis on writing Arabic numbers first in the context of historical usage in pharmacy or medicine. In the metric and SI systems, although they provide standardized measurements crucial for scientific purposes, they do not focus on the apothecary's traditional format, which has unique historical relevance. The imperial system, widely used in the United States for non-scientific measurements, does not follow the same conventions as the apothecary system regarding the presentation of numbers. Overall, it is the apothecary system that specifically demonstrates the use of Arabic numbers first in its conventional format.