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, use Roman Numerals. Have you noticed these names and wondered what these symbols (I and II) represented? Those are the Roman Numerals.
Earlier people counted using fingers, sticks, bones, etc. When life became complex, a standard form was required. Ancient Romans used the Roman Numeral system. I (1), V (5), X (10), L (50), C (100), D (500), and M (1000) are the symbols we use.
In Roman Numerals, we use CMVIII to represent 908, where CM is 900 and VIII is 8. 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 a smaller number is placed after a larger number. For example, VIII → V + I + I + I → 5 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 8.
To write a large number, there are certain Roman Numerals that can be repeated up to 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, CM → M - C → 1000 - 100 = 900.
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 for 8, we write VIII, not IIIIIIII.
Let’s now learn how to write 908 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 908 in Roman numerals using the expansion method. To write 908 in Roman Numerals, follow the steps:
Step 1: Break the number based on place value: hundreds, tens, and ones. For 908, we write it as 900 + 8.
Step 2: Converting the number into Roman Numerals:
Step 3: Combine the Roman Numerals together. Therefore, 908 in Roman Numerals is CM (900) + VIII (8) = CMVIII.
When writing a large number into Roman Numerals, we group the number. To write 908 in Roman Numerals, we group 908 as 900 + 8.
So, 908 is written as CMVIII in Roman Numerals.
Students often make mistakes when writing numbers in Roman Numerals. To master Roman Numerals, we can learn a few common mistakes and ways to avoid them.
A historian discovers a scroll with DCCC and CX inscribed. What is the sum of these Roman numerals?
The sum of DCCC and CX is CMX.
DCCC represents 800 and CX represents 110. Adding these together: 800 + 110 = 910.
However, since we are asked about 908 in Roman numerals, we see this was an error.
Correcting the Roman numerals to fit 908, we use CMVIII, but the question asked for DCCC + CX, which is 910, hence CMX is used here.
A museum exhibits CMVIII artifacts, and they are organized into groups of XLV. How many full groups are there?
There are XX full groups.
To find the number of full groups, divide the total number of artifacts by the group size.
CMVIII = 908
XLV = 45
908 / 45 = 20 with a remainder.
Therefore, there are XX full groups.
If you subtract CCC from CMVIII, what is the result in Roman numerals?
The result of subtracting CCC from CMVIII is DCVIII.
CMVIII is 908, and CCC is 300.
Subtracting these gives 908 - 300 = 608.
608 in Roman numerals is DCVIII.
A scholar adds together the years MCM and CMVIII. What is the resulting year?
The resulting year is MMCMVIII.
MCM is 1900 and CMVIII is 908.
Adding these together gives 1900 + 908 = 2808.
2808 in Roman numerals is MMCMVIII.
What is the Roman numeral representation for the sum of DCCCXC and XVIII?
The Roman numeral representation for the sum of DCCCXC and XVIII is CMVIII.
DCCCXC is 890 and XVIII is 18.
Adding these together:
890 + 18 = 908.
908 in Roman numerals is CMVIII.
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.