November 15, 2022

Roman Numerals - Rules, Chart | What Are Roman Numbers?

While you consider numbers currently, the first thing that comes to mind is the decimal method we use regularly. This method, however, is not the single approach to depict numbers. There are many approaches utilized by distinct cultures worldwide that utilize all types of characters. Classified among many one of the system is Roman numbers.

Since ancient Rome, Roman numerals have become a way of expressing numbers using a mixture of letters from the Latin alphabet. It existed across the Middle Ages and the modern day, to the extend it is still educated in school, which is probably why you have stumbled upon this post.

Today, we are going to check out Roman numbers, definition, how they work, and how to convert Roman numbers to normal numbers.

What Are Roman Numbers?

Primarily, let's look at a quick look at the history of Roman numbers. Roman numbers were first used by the ancient Romans, as you might have guessed from the name. They were utilized in multiple angles of the Roman world, consisting of trade, architecture, and even warfare.

Currently, its extensive use is primarily attributed to artistic reasons. You might have seen Roman numerals as hour marks on a clock, chapter numbers, page numbering, copyright dates, or in movie sequels (e.g., The Godfather Part III).

The Roman numeral system represents numbers employing a mixture of letters from the Latin alphabet. Characters are mixed to form groups that depict numericals. Seven characters, I, V, X, L, C, D, and M, symbolizes the numericals 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, and 1000, separately. You can then combine these numericals to portray any value in the number system.

Meaning of the Roman numerals

Although the decimal system is based on the concept of place value, Roman numerals are based on linear and subtractive principles. This refers that a Roman numeral's numeric values are founded on the sum of the values of its individual parts. One more major distinction is that the decimal method is established on the number 10. In contrast, Roman numbers are founded on the numericals 1 (I), 5 (V) and 10 (X).

Examples

Let's take a look at a few hands-on examples of Roman numerals.

The video game street fighter IV was released in arcades back in 2008. If we observe the numericals in the title, we see it consist of a V in it. This is due to the fact number 5 in Roman numerals is described by the alphabet V. Preceded by it is an I, or 1. Thus, we understand that this is the 4th entry in the series employing the characteristics we will talk about further ahead.

The movie Star Wars Episode VI was the last entry in the original trilogy. Looking at the value portrayed, it contains a V ensued by an I. Hence, we will include a 1 to the value of V, which is 5, letting us know this Star Wars movie is the 6th entry in the franchise.

Roman Numerals Chart

To read Roman numerals, it is important to get a grasp of the numeric value of all the characters. To help make this function easy, here is a chart with every Latin characters with assigned numeric values.


Decimal Number

Roman Numeral

1

I

2

II

3

III

4

IV

5

V

6

VI

7

VII

8

VIII

9

IX

10

X

11

XI

12

XII

13

XIII

14

XIV

15

XV

16

XVI

17

XVII

18

XVIII

19

XIX

20

XX

21

XXI

22

XXII

23

XXIII

24

XXIV

25

XXV

26

XXVI

27

XXVII

28

XXVIII

29

XXIX

30

XXX

31

XXXI

32

XXXII

33

XXXIII

34

XXXIV

35

XXXV

36

XXXVI

37

XXXVII

38

XXXVIII

39

XXXIX

40

XL

41

XLI

42

XLII

43

XLIII

44

XLIV

45

XLV

46

XLVI

47

XLVII

48

XLVIII

49

XLIX

50

L

51

LI

52

LII

53

LIII

54

LIV

55

LV

56

LVI

57

LVII

58

LVIII

59

LIX

60

LX

61

LXI

62

LXII

63

LXIII

64

LXIV

65

LXV

66

LXVI

67

LXVII

68

LXVIII

69

LXIX

70

LXX

71

LXXI

72

LXXII

73

LXXIII

74

LXXIV

75

LXXV

76

LXXVI

77

LXXVII

78

LXXVIII

79

LXXIX

80

LXXX

81

LXXXI

82

LXXXII

83

LXXXIII

84

LXXXIV

85

LXXXV

86

LXXXVI

87

LXXXVII

88

LXXXVIII

89

LXXXIX

90

XC

91

XCI

92

XCII

93

XCIII

94

XCIV

95

XCV

96

XCVI

97

XCVII

98

XCVIII

99

XCIX

100

C

200

CC

300

CCC

400

CD

500

D

600

DC

700

DCC

800

DCCC

900

CM

1000

M


How to Transform from Roman Numbers to Everyday Numericals

Now that we have the convenient table of Roman numerals, we can use that information to transform numbers back and forth simply. Following these steps, you will transform these values at any time.

Steps to Change Roman numerals to Decimal Numericals

To convert Roman numbers to decimal numbers, we will use the additive and subtractive principles we talked about.

  • Begin with the leftmost Roman numeral in the group.

  • If the Roman numeral to its right is smaller in value, then sum the both values.

  • If the Roman number to its right is greater in value, subtract the Roman numeral on the right from the Roman numbers to its left.

  • All you must do now is replicate this method until you arrive at the end of the Roman number group.

Let's check out how you can change Roman numbers with a few examples.

Example 1

Study the Roman numeral LXXVI.

  • Begin with the leftmost Roman numeral, which is L or 50.

  • The Roman number to its right is X or 10. Because 10 is lesser than 50, we add the two values and get 60.

  • The Roman number to the right of X is X again. We sum 10 to 60 and find 70.

  • The Roman number to the right of X is V or 5. Because 5 is less than 70, we add the both values and the result is 75.

  • The Roman numeral to the right of V is I or 1. Since 1 is less than 75, we add the both values and get 76.

We halt here at the end of the Roman numeral group. Hence, the Roman numeral LXXVI is as same as the decimal number 76.

Example 2

Consider the Roman numeral MCMIII.

  • Start at the leftmost Roman numeral, which is M or 1000.

  • The Roman number to its right is C or 100. Because 100 is less than 1000, and it is followed by an M, this value refers to 900.

  • The Roman number to the right of M is I or 1. Since 1 is less than 1900, we add the two values and the result is 1901.

  • The Roman numeral to the right of I is I again. We add 1 to 1901 and the result is 1902.

  • The Roman number to the right of I is I again. We add 1 to 1902 and get 1903.

Because we have arrived the end of the Roman numeral group, we halt here with our answer. So, the Roman numeral MCMIII is as same as the decimal number 1903.

With this data and a some practice, you will convert Roman numerals to regular numbers like a professional!

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