What does preceding (Please refer to 'additional information') mean?

Which comes first (a single grain symbol or a symbol denoting ’18’)?
about early writing system in Mesopotamia (a symbol was written on clay):

“They devised numeral signs, so that eighteen units of grain could be indicated by preceding a single grain symbol with a symbol denoting ’18’.”

I think there are two symbols on clay, and it should be like this. Which is correct?
(a symbol of 18) (a symbol of grain)
or
(a symbol of grain) (a symbol of 18)

Answers

EzraOnyx

8 February

Featured answer

English (US)

@talking109 I would think so. it's just like meaning that something comes before another thing

Highly-rated answerer

Share this question

Copy URL

EzraOnyx

8 February

English (US)

the first one I believe

Highly-rated answerer

EzraOnyx

8 February

English (US)

since preceding means it goes before so the the 18 symbol goes before grain symbol

Highly-rated answerer

talking109

8 February

Japanese

so ‘preceding’ is used like a verb, rather than an adjective, right?
△the preceding year

e.g.
She got a popularity by making a delicious meal.

@EzraOnyx