4 in Roman Numerals

The royal titles, such as Henry I, Henry II, and so on, use Roman Numerals. Have you noticed the names and wondered what these symbols (I and II) represented? Those are Roman Numerals. Earlier, people used to count using fingers, sticks, bones, etc. 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 IV to represent 4, where I is 1 and V is 5. 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, VI → V + I → 5 + 1 = 6.

Rule 2: Repetition Method
 

To write larger numbers, certain Roman Numerals can be repeated up to three times. For example, III → 3.
 

Rule 3: Subtraction Method

If a smaller number is placed before a larger number in Roman Numerals, we subtract the smaller number from the larger number. This is the subtraction method. For example, IV → V - I → 5 - 1 = 4.
 

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 VV for 10; instead, we use X.

Let’s now learn how to write 4 in Roman Numerals. Follow these methods to write the number in Roman Numerals.

By Expansion Method  
By Grouping Method
 

In the expansion method, based on the place value, the number is broken down. In this section, we will learn how to write 4 in Roman numerals using the expansion method.
 

To write 4 in Roman Numerals, follow these steps:
 

Step 1: Break the number based on place value.
 

For 4, it is simply 4.
 

Step 2: Converting the number into Roman Numerals:
 

1 in Roman Numerals — I  
5 in Roman Numerals — V  

Step 3: Using the subtraction method, we write:

Therefore, 4 in Roman Numerals is V (5) - I (1) = IV.
 

When writing a number into Roman Numerals, we group the number. To write 4 in Roman Numerals, we use the subtraction method.
 

5 in Roman Numerals — V  

1 in Roman Numerals — I  
 

So, 4 is written as IV in Roman Numerals.
 

Roman Numerals follow a certain pattern making them look similar. In this section, we will learn some numbers related to the Roman numeral 4:
 

IV = 4  
V = 5  
VI = 6  
VII = 7  
VIII = 8  
IX = 9
 

• Subtraction rule: When a smaller numeral precedes a larger numeral, the values are subtracted. For example, IV = V - I = 5 - 1 = 4.
   
• Addition rule: When a larger numeral is followed by a smaller numeral, the values are added. For example, VI = V + I = 5 + 1 = 6.
   
• Repetition rule: Certain symbols (I, X, C, M) in the Roman numeric system can be repeated only up to three times. For example, III = 3 (I is repeated three times to represent the number 3).
   
• Limitation rule: Some symbols, like V, L, and D, cannot be repeated. For example, we do not write VV for 10; instead, we use X.
   
• Grouping method: Here, the given numbers are grouped based on their place value and then converted into Roman numerals. For example, 4 is simply IV.