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Last updated on March 3rd, 2025
To meet their daily commerce and administration needs, the ancient Romans developed Roman Numerals. It used a combination of seven symbols — I, V, X, L, C, D, and M to represent numbers. Roman numerals were used to record transactions, keep track of data, and label military units. In this topic, we are going to learn about the Roman numeral MCMXLIII.
Ancient Romans discovered that counting fingers could get very complicated after 10. So to overcome the complexity, the Roman numeric system was developed. This was widely used throughout Europe as a standard writing system until the late Middle Ages.
Seven symbols are used to represent numbers in the Roman numeric system — I, V, X, L, C, D, and M. The numerals are made up of different combinations of these symbols. MCMXLIII in Roman numerals can be written in number form by adding the values of each Roman numeral, i.e. MCMXLIII = 1943.
Let us learn more about the Roman numeral MCMXLIII, how we write them, the mistakes we usually make, and ways to avoid these mistakes.
When writing Roman numerals, there are a few rules that we need to follow based on the Roman numerals we are trying to write. In this section, we will learn about the rules when writing Roman numerals and how to represent them.
When a larger symbol is followed by a smaller symbol, we add the numerals to each other. For example, in VI, we have 5 + 1 = 6.
A symbol that is repeated three times in continuation increases the value of the numeral. For example, CCC = 300.
We use the subtraction method when a larger symbol follows a smaller symbol. For example, IX = 9 (which is 10 – 1).
Symbols cannot be repeated more than three times, and some symbols, such as V, L, and D, cannot be repeated more than once. For example, 10 is represented as X and not VV.
Let us learn about how to write MCMXLIII in Roman numerals. There are two methods that we can use to write Roman numerals:
The breaking down of Roman numerals into parts and then converting them into numerals is what we call the expansion method. The expansion method is the breaking down of Roman numerals into numerical form and adding them to get the final number.
Step 1: Break the Roman numerals into parts.
Step 2: Now write each of the Roman numerals with its numerical digit in the place value.
Step 3: Add the numerals together.
For MCMXLIII,
Step 1: First, we break the Roman numerals. MCMXLIII = M + CM + XL + III
Step 2: Write the Roman numerals for each part. The Roman Numeral M is 1000 The Roman Numeral CM is 900 The Roman Numeral XL is 40 The Roman Numeral III is 3
Step 3: Combine all the numbers M + CM + XL + III = 1000 + 900 + 40 + 3 = 1943. Therefore, the Roman Numeral MCMXLIII is 1943.
Using subtraction and addition rules, we will apply the grouping method. This means we break the Roman numerals into smaller groups, which makes it easier to work with. This method groups the Roman numerals logically, and then we write the numbers for each group.
Step 1: Take the largest number and write the number for that Roman numeral.
Step 2: Write the Roman numeral using the subtraction and addition rules.
Example: Let’s take the Roman numeral MCMXLIII.
Step 1: The larger Roman numerals are what we will begin with. Once split, the Roman numerals we get are M, CM, XL, and III. The numeral for M is 1000 The numeral for CM is 900 The numeral for XL is 40 The numeral for III is 3
Step 2: Now we need to add the numbers. Here we add CM, XL, and III to M, and we will get MCMXLIII. Therefore, the numeral of MCMXLIII is 1943.
Students can make mistakes when studying Roman numerals. Here are a few common mistakes students make, and ways to avoid them.
What is the result of MCMXLIII + LVII? Write the answer in Roman numerals.
The result is MM.
Convert both Roman numerals into their decimal form:
MCMXLIII = 1943
LVII = 57
Now add both numbers: 1943 + 57 = 2000
Now convert the number into its Roman numeral: 2000 = MM
Subtract DCCC from MCMXLIII and provide the answer in Roman numerals.
The difference is MCXLIII.
Convert the Roman numerals into their decimal form:
MCMXLIII = 1943
DCCC = 800
Subtract the numbers: 1943 - 800 = 1143
Convert the number into its Roman numeral: 1143 = 1000 (M) + 100 (C) + 40 (XL) + 3 (III) = MCXLIII
Divide MCMXLIII by X and write the answer in Roman numerals.
CXCIV
Convert MCMXLIII into its decimal form:
MCMXLIII = 1943
Divide by 10: 1943 / 10 = 194.3 (round down to 194 for Roman numerals)
Write 194 in Roman numerals: 194 = 100 (C) + 90 (XC) + 4 (IV) = CXCIV
What is the product of MCMXLIII and III?
The product is DLXXIX.
Convert MCMXLIII and III into numbers:
MCMXLIII = 1943
III = 3
Multiply the numbers: 1943 × 3 = 5829
Convert 5829 into its Roman numerals: 5000 (MMMMM) + 800 (DCCC) + 20 (XX) + 9 (IX) = DLXXIX
Convert MCMXLIII into its decimal form.
In decimal form, MCMXLIII is 1943.
Break MCMXLIII into components:
M = 1000
CM = 900 (1000 - 100)
XL = 40 (50 - 10)
III = 3
Add values: 1000 + 900 + 40 + 3 = 1943
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.