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., to count. When 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 CLVI to represent 156, where C is 100, L is 50, V is 5, and I is 1. 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, CLVI → C + L + V + I → 100 + 50 + 5 + 1 = 156
To write a large number, there are certain Roman Numerals that can be repeated up to three times. III → 3.
If a smaller number is followed by a larger number in Roman Numerals, we subtract the smaller number from the larger 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 156 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 156 in Roman numerals using the expansion method.
To write 156 in Roman Numerals, follow the steps:
Step 1: Break the number based on place value (ones, tens, hundreds, etc.).
For 156, we write it as 100 + 50 + 6
Step 2: Converting the number into Roman Numerals
- 100 in Roman Numeral — C
- 50 in Roman Numeral — L
- 6 in Roman Numeral — VI
Step 3: Combine them into Roman Numerals together.
Therefore, 156 in Roman Numeral is C (100) + L (50) + VI (6) = CLVI
When writing a large number into Roman Numerals, we group the number.
To write 156 in Roman Numeral, we group 156 as 100 + 50 + 6
- 100 in Roman Numeral — C
- 50 in Roman Numeral — L
- 6 in Roman Numeral — VI
So, 156 is written as CLVI 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 a manuscript with the Roman numerals CLVI and CLXV. Calculate the sum of these numerals.
The sum of CLVI and CLXV is CCCXXI.
CLVI is 156 and CLXV is 165.
The sum of CLVI and CLXV is 156 + 165 = 321.
321 in Roman Numerals can be written as CCCXXI.
A librarian needs to distribute CCCCLXXVIII pages equally among III books. How many pages will each book contain?
Each book will contain CLVI pages.
To find the number of pages per book, divide the total number of pages by the number of books:
CCCCLXXVIII = 478
III = 3
478 / 3 = 159.33 (round down to the nearest whole number since pages can't be divided)
Each book will contain CLVI pages (156 in Roman numerals).
A math teacher asks students to find the product of XIII and XII.
The product of XIII and XII is CLVI
XIII is 13 and XII is 12.
The product of XIII and XII is 13 × 12 = 156.
156 in Roman Numerals can be written as CLVI.
What is the difference between CC and XLIV in Roman numerals?
The difference between CC and XLIV is CLVI.
The difference of two numbers is the result of subtracting one from the other.
CC = 200
XLIV = 44
200 - 44 = 156
156 in Roman Numerals can be written as CLVI.
Write the Roman Numeral for 78 + 78 using the expansion method.
The Roman numeral for 78 + 78 is CLVI.
Step 1: Convert the numbers 78 and 78 into Roman numerals.
78 = LXXVIII
Add the numbers together: 78 + 78 = 156
Using the expansion method: 156 = 100 + 50 + 6 = CLVI
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.