Definition
The set of ten number symbols (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9) used in standard mathematical and technical notation, including aviation charts, instruments, and documents.
Plain English
The regular numbers we write every day -- 0 through 9 -- and any number built from them.
Context Anchor
Seen anywhere numbers appear in aviation, including charts, manuals, checklists, cockpit displays, logbooks, and runway markings.
Derivation
Called 'Arabic' because these numerals reached Europe through Arab mathematicians during the Middle Ages, though the symbols originally came from India. The name distinguishes them from Roman numerals (I, II, III, IV...), which are still occasionally seen on clocks and in chapter headings but are not used for technical aviation values.
Why Pilots Care
Pilots must read numbers exactly. A runway number, page number, aircraft marking, checklist step, or cockpit display can change meaning if a digit is missed or misread.
Intuition Check
“Arabic Numerals” does not mean numbers written as Arabic words or in the Arabic alphabet. In this context, it means the familiar digit symbols 0 through 9.
Example Sentence 1
Runway designators are painted in large Arabic numerals so pilots can read them clearly on approach.
Example Sentence 2
Runway numbers are marked with Arabic numerals showing the approximate magnetic heading.