Last updated on May 26th, 2025
Roman numerals are a way of expressing numbers using symbols. I, V, X, L, C, D, and M are the symbols we use. Roman Numerals are used in royal titles, book names, sequences, and so on. Here we will be discussing Roman Numerals, rules, and examples.
The royal titles, such as Henry I, Henry II, and so on. Have you noticed the names and wondered what these symbols (I and II) represented?
Those are the Roman Numerals. Earlier, people used to count using fingers, sticks, bones, etc. As life became complex, a standard form was required to count. Ancient Romans used the Roman Numeral system to count. I (1), V (5), X (10), L (50), C (100), D (500), and M (1000) are the symbols we use to count.
In Roman Numerals, we use CLIII to represent 153, where C is 100, L is 50, and III is 3. Let’s learn more about Roman numerals and how we write them.
There are certain basic rules to write a number in Roman Numerals. In this section, let’s discuss some basic rules that need to be remembered when writing a number in Roman numerals.
The addition method is used when the smaller number is placed after the larger number. For example, CLIII → C + L + III → 100 + 50 + 3 = 153.
To write a large number, there are certain Roman Numerals that can be repeated three times. III → 3.
If a small number is followed by a large number in Roman Numerals, we subtract the smaller number from the large number. For example, IX → X - I → 10 - 1 = 9.
The symbols cannot be repeated more than three times, and some symbols like V, L, and D cannot be repeated. For example, we won't write VV for 10; instead, we use X, and 8 is written as VIII, not IIIIIIII.
Let’s now learn how to write 153 in Roman Numerals. Follow these methods to write the number in Roman Numerals.
In the expansion method, based on the place value, the number is broken down. In this section, we will learn how to write 153 in Roman numerals using the expansion method.
To write 153 in Roman Numerals, follow the steps:
Step 1: Break the number based on the place value. Place values are ones, tens, hundreds, etc.
For 153, we write it as 100 + 50 + 3.
Step 2: Convert the number into Roman Numerals:
- 100 in Roman Numeral — C
- 50 in Roman Numeral — L
- 3 in Roman Numeral — III
Step 3: Combine the Roman Numerals together.
Therefore, 153 in Roman Numeral is C (100) + L (50) + III (3) = CLIII.
When writing a large number into Roman Numeral, we group the number.
To write 153 in Roman Numeral, we group 153 as 100 + 50 + 3:
- 100 in Roman Numeral — C
- 50 in Roman Numeral — L
- 3 in Roman Numeral — III
So, 153 is written as CLIII in Roman Numerals.
Students make mistakes when writing a number in Roman Numerals. To master Roman Numerals, we can learn a few common mistakes and the ways to avoid them.
A historian finds CLIII ancient coins and wants to distribute them evenly into three treasure chests. How many coins will each chest contain?
Each chest will contain LI coins.
To determine how many coins each chest receives, divide the total number of coins by the number of chests.
CLIII = 153
153 ÷ 3 = 51
51 in Roman Numerals is LI.
An archaeologist discovers two artifacts with inscriptions: the first reads LXXVI and the second reads LXXVII. What is the total number of artifacts represented by the numerals?
The total number of artifacts is CLIII.
Sum the two numbers represented by the Roman numerals.
LXXVI = 76
LXXVII = 77
76 + 77 = 153
153 in Roman Numerals is CLIII.
An engineer designs a circular track with a circumference of CLIII meters. If a runner completes the track in XIII minutes, find the average speed of the runner in meters per minute.
The average speed of the runner is XII meters per minute.
To find the average speed, divide the total distance by the time taken
CLIII = 153
XIII = 13
153 ÷ 13 = 11.769, approximately 12
12 in Roman Numerals is XII.
A clock shows the time as CLIII minutes past midnight. What is the time in hours and minutes?
The time is II hours and XXXIII minutes.
Convert the total minutes past midnight into hours and minutes.
CLIII = 153
153 ÷ 60 = 2 hours remainder 33 minutes
2 in Roman Numerals is II
33 in Roman Numerals is XXXIII.
Write the Roman Numeral for 100 + 53 using the expansion method.
The Roman numeral for 100 + 53 is CLIII.
Step 1: Convert the numbers 100 and 53 into Roman numerals.
100 - C
53 - LIII
Add the numbers together: 100 + 53 = 153
Using expansion method: 153 = 100 + 50 + 3 = CLIII.
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.