Last updated on May 26th, 2025
Roman numerals are a way of expressing numbers using symbols: I, V, X, L, C, D, and M. They are used in royal titles, book names, sequences, and more. Here we will discuss Roman numerals, rules, and examples.
Royal titles such as Henry I, Henry II, and so on use Roman numerals. Have you ever noticed these symbols and wondered what they represent? Those are Roman numerals.
In ancient times, people counted using fingers, sticks, bones, etc., until the complexity of life necessitated a standard counting system. The ancient Romans created the Roman numeral system for this purpose. The symbols I (1), V (5), X (10), L (50), C (100), D (500), and M (1000) are used to count.
In Roman numerals, 1973 is written as MCMLXXIII. Here, M is 1000, CM is 900, LXX is 70, and III is 3. Let’s learn more about Roman numerals and how we write them.
There are certain basic rules for writing numbers in Roman numerals. In this section, let’s discuss some basic rules to remember when writing numbers in Roman numerals.
The addition method is used when a smaller number is placed after a larger number. For example, LXX → L + X + X → 50 + 10 + 10 = 70
Certain Roman numerals can be repeated up to three times to form numbers. For example, III → 3.
If a smaller number precedes a larger number in Roman numerals, it is subtracted from the larger number. For example, CM → M - C → 1000 - 100 = 900
Symbols cannot be repeated more than three times, and some symbols like V, L, and D cannot be repeated. For example, we use X for 10 instead of VV.
Let’s now learn how to write 1973 in Roman numerals. Follow these methods to write the number in Roman numerals:
In the expansion method, the number is broken down based on place value. Let's learn how to write 1973 in Roman numerals using the expansion method. To write 1973 in Roman numerals, follow these steps:
Step 1: Break down the number based on place value. For 1973, we write it as 1000 + 900 + 70 + 3.
Step 2: Convert each number into Roman numerals.
Step 3: Combine the Roman numerals. Therefore, 1973 in Roman numerals is M + CM + LXX + III = MCMLXXIII
When writing a large number in Roman numerals, we group the number. To write 1973 in Roman numerals, we group it as 1000 + 900 + 70 + 3.
So, 1973 is written as MCMLXXIII in Roman numerals.
Students often make mistakes when writing numbers in Roman numerals. To master Roman numerals, we can learn from common mistakes and the ways to avoid them.
Calculate the year when a historian discovers that MCMLXXIII years have passed since the founding of an ancient city in DCCXXVII BC.
The year discovered is 1246 AD.
MCMLXXIII in Roman numerals is 1973.
The city was founded in 727 BC, which is written as DCCXXVII in Roman numerals.
To find the year the historian discovers, we subtract 727 from 1973, resulting in 1246 AD.
A library received a shipment of MCMXXIII books in the year MMXXIII. How many years before the current year was this shipment made?
The shipment was made 50 years before the current year.
MMXXIII in Roman numerals is 2023.
MCMXXIII in Roman numerals is 1923.
To find how many years before the current year (2023) the shipment was made, subtract 1923 from 2023, resulting in 100 years.
A collector has a rare coin stamped with the year MDCCCCLXXXVI. How many years after MCMLXXIII was this coin minted?
The coin was minted 13 years after MCMLXXIII.
MCMLXXIII in Roman numerals is 1973.
MDCCCCLXXXVI in Roman numerals is 1986.
To find how many years after 1973 the coin was minted, subtract 1973 from 1986, resulting in 13 years.
If a vintage car was manufactured in the year MCMLXXIII and restored in the year MMXIII, how many years after its manufacturing was it restored?
The car was restored 40 years after it was manufactured.
MCMLXXIII in Roman numerals is 1973.
MMXIII in Roman numerals is 2013.
To find the difference, subtract 1973 from 2013, resulting in 40 years.
A theater opened in MCMLXXIII and celebrated its golden jubilee in which year?
The theater celebrated its golden jubilee in 2023.
MCMLXXIII in Roman numerals is 1973.
A golden jubilee marks 50 years.
Adding 50 to 1973 results in the year 2023.
Hiralee Lalitkumar Makwana has almost two years of teaching experience. She is a number ninja as she loves numbers. Her interest in numbers can be seen in the way she cracks math puzzles and hidden patterns.
: She loves to read number jokes and games.