Opinion - Which word/number order seems more accessible?

RogerB

This:
Composition: 75% copper 25% nickel

or this:
Composition: Copper 70%, nickel 30%

[Avoiding chemical symbols except in complex Inco alloys such as:
Composition: “Checkwate 8” stainless steel (50.4% Fe, 25.8% Ni, 19.72% Cr, 2.03% Mo, 1.47%
Mn, 0.58% Si, 0.08% C, plus traces of surface phosphorus and sulfur.) ]

Mark

I like the 75% copper 25% nickel phrasing but I would add a comma after the word copper.

Walkerfan

Composition: 75% copper & 25% nickel.

With an ampersand added.

Insider2

Composition: Copper 70%, nickel 30%

BillDugan1959

It seems option #1 matches how I would say it aloud.

While that works best for me, it is perfectly easy to understand option #2.

Consistency in a text or in speaking might be the best, either way.

messydesk

Composition: 75% copper, 25% nickel

The other way would be preferred in a tabular form, where the elements are shown in descending order by % of the composition, but matching the way you would tell someone in conversation is the most accessible.

Coinosaurus

How about a pie chart? Though metal pie probably doesn't taste very good.....

Cameonut

In my experience - 40 years in engineering of which 4 was in a foundry, the first is much more often encountered.

And your list of elements for the Inco alloy is exactly how I would have written it.

Jimnight

Composition: 75% copper 25% nickel

[Edited] After reviewing my "Opinion" I conclude a comma split should be used.

Insider2

I think we'll all agree that speaking and reading are different. This is going into a book.

HOWEVER, I'm odd member out and the U.S. Mint agrees with all of you: Composition: 75% copper 25% Nickel."

ChrisH821

I couldn't get the forum to format this properly so I took a snip.
I'd do something like this but it does take extra lines, to me it just looks better.

Zoins

It seems like the majority is the following given posts by @Mark and @messydesk with associated votes, which I agree with.

Composition: 75% copper, 25% nickel

RogerB

OK. I want to be consistent. Thanks all!

I'm also handling the element niobium like this:
99.7% niobium (columbium)
even though the element's official name was changed in 1949.

1630Boston

Composition: Copper 70%, nickel 30%

ricko

I prefer the element to be named first with percentage following. For multiple elements in tabular format, it is much easier to read. I realize this opinion is in the minority, however, elemental identification should precede quantity. Cheers, RickO

RogerB

Thanks for the thoughtful and practical suggestions. Although I tend to prefer element then percent from a technical viewpoint, writing percent then element seems a little better from an speech-emulation perspective. (We say, "Ninety percent silver, ten percent copper.") As work progresses, I'll make sure everything is consistent which - as my Canadian copy-editor keeps pounding into my head - is the goal.

Here are a couple of little "treats" to thank participants for their help on this and other questions.

KellenCoin

I prefer the percentage first, but include a comma or & between the two metals.