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Last updated on February 21st, 2025
Roman numerals are a way of expressing numbers using symbols. The symbols we use are I, V, X, L, C, D, and M. Roman numerals are used in royal titles, book names, sequences, and so on. Here we will discuss Roman numerals, rules, and examples.
The royal titles, such as Henry I, Henry II, and so on, use Roman numerals. Have you noticed these names and wondered what these symbols (I and II) represented? Those are Roman numerals. Earlier, people counted using fingers, sticks, bones, etc. As life became more 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 used to count.
In Roman numerals, we use CCCXCII to represent 392, where C is 100, X is 10, and II is 2. 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.
Rule 1: Addition Method
The addition method is used when the smaller number is placed after the larger number. For example, CCCXCII → C + C + C + XC + I + I → 100 + 100 + 100 + 90 + 1 + 1 = 392.
Rule 2: Repetition Method
To write large numbers, certain Roman numerals can be repeated up to three times. For example, CCC → 300.
Rule 3: Subtraction Method
If a small number precedes a large number in Roman numerals, we subtract the smaller number from the larger number. For example, XC → C - X → 100 - 10 = 90.
Rule 4: Limitation Rule
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 CCCC for 400; instead, we use CD.
Let’s now learn how to write 390 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 392 in Roman numerals using the expansion method.
To write 392 in Roman numerals, follow the steps:
Step 1: Break the number based on place value: hundreds, tens, and ones.
For 392, we write it as 300 + 90 + 2.
Step 2: Convert the number into Roman numerals:
300 in Roman numerals — CCC
90 in Roman numerals — XC
2 in Roman numerals — II
Step 3: Combine the Roman numerals:
Therefore, 392 in Roman numerals is CCC (300) + XC (90) + II (2) = CCCXCII.
When writing a large number in Roman numerals, we group the number. To write 392 in Roman numerals, we group it as 300 + 90 + 2.
300 in Roman numerals — CCC
90 in Roman numerals — XC
2 in Roman numerals — II
So, 392 is written as CCCXCII in Roman numerals.
A historian finds a manuscript that mentions the victory of an ancient battle with CCCXCII soldiers. How many soldiers fought if they were organized in groups of XLIX?
A museum exhibit displays a collection with CCCXCII artifacts. If the artifacts are arranged equally in XIII cases, how many artifacts are in each case?
An ancient recipe requires mixing CCXLV grams of one ingredient with a mystery amount to get a total of CCCXCII grams. How much of the mystery ingredient is needed?
A researcher deciphers a scroll that records CCCXCII days of travel across the desert. If the journey started on the first of the year, on which day did it end?
Convert the sum of CCL and CXLII into Roman numerals using the expansion method.
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.