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Last updated on March 3rd, 2025
To meet their daily commerce and administration needs, the ancient Romans developed Roman Numerals. It used a combination of seven symbols — I, V, X, L, C, D, and M to represent numbers. Roman numerals were used to record transactions, keep track of data, and label military units. In this topic, we are going to learn about the Roman numeral MCMXVI.
Ancient Romans discovered that counting fingers could get very complicated after 10. To overcome the complexity, the Roman numeric system was developed. This system was widely used throughout Europe as a standard writing system until the late Middle Ages. Seven symbols are used to represent numbers in the Roman numeric system — I, V, X, L, C, D, and M. The numerals are made up of different combinations of these symbols. MCMXVI in Roman numerals can be written in number form by adding the values of each Roman numeral: MCMXVI = 1916.
Let us learn more about the Roman numeral MCMXVI, how we write it, the mistakes we usually make, and ways to avoid these mistakes.
When writing Roman numerals, there are a few rules that we need to follow based on the Roman numerals we are trying to write. In this section, we will learn about the rules when writing Roman numerals and how to represent them.
When a larger symbol is followed by a smaller symbol, we add the numerals to each other. For example, in VIII, we have 5 + 3 = 8.
A symbol that is repeated three times in continuation increases the value of the numeral. For example, XXX = 30.
We use the subtraction method when a larger symbol follows a smaller symbol. For example, XL = 40 (which is 50 – 10).
Symbols cannot be repeated more than three times, and some symbols, such as V, L, and D cannot be repeated more than once. For example, 10 is represented as X and not VV.
Let us learn about how to write MCMXVI in Roman numerals. There are two methods that we can use to write Roman numerals:
The breaking down of Roman numerals into parts and then converting them into numerals is what we call the expansion method. The expansion method is the breaking down of Roman numerals into numerical form and adding them to get the final number.
Step 1: Break the Roman numerals into parts.
Step 2: Now write each of the Roman numerals with its numerical digit in the place value.
Step 3: Add the numerals together.
For MCMXVI,
Step 1: First, we break the Roman numerals. MCMXVI = M + CM + X + VI
Step 2: Write the Roman Numerals for each part The Roman Numeral M is 1000 The Roman Numeral CM is 900 The Roman Numeral X is 10 The Roman Numeral VI is 6
Step 3: Combine all the numbers M + CM + X + VI = 1000 + 900 + 10 + 6 = 1916. Therefore, the Roman Numeral MCMXVI is 1916.
Using subtraction and addition rules, we will apply the grouping method. This means we break the Roman numerals into smaller groups, which makes it easier to work with. This method groups the Roman numerals logically, and then we write the numbers for each group.
Step 1: Take the largest number and write the number for that Roman numeral.
Step 2: Write the Roman numeral using the subtraction and addition rules.
Example: Let’s take the Roman numeral MCMXVI.
Step 1: The larger Roman numerals are what we will begin with. Once split, the Roman numerals we get are M, CM, X, and VI. The numeral for M is 1000.
Step 2: Now we need to either add or subtract the smaller numbers, depending on their place.
Here we add CM, X, and VI to M, and we will get MCMXVI. The numeral for CM is 900, X is 10, and VI is 6. Therefore, the numeral of MCMXVI is 1916.
Students can make mistakes when studying Roman numerals. Here are a few common mistakes students make, and ways to avoid them.
A historian finds two ancient artifacts marked MCMXVI and MDCCCXLIV. What is the total year represented by these markings when added together?
The total year is MMMMDCLX
Convert both Roman numerals into their decimal forms:
MCMXVI = 1916
MDCCCXLIV = 1844
Now add both numbers: 1916 + 1844 = 3760
Now convert the number into its Roman numeral: 3760 = 3000 (MMM) + 700 (DCC) + 60 (LX) = MMMMDCLX
A museum catalog lists an artifact from the year MCMXVI and another from the year MDIX. Calculate the difference in years between these artifacts.
The difference in years is CDVII
Convert the Roman numerals into their decimal forms:
MCMXVI = 1916
MDIX = 1509
Now subtract the numbers: 1916 - 1509 = 407
Convert the number into its Roman numeral: 407 = 400 (CD) + 7 (VII) = CDVII
Divide the year MCMXVI by IV. What is the result in Roman numerals?
The result is CDLXXIX
Convert MCMXVI into its decimal form:
MCMXVI = 1916
Divide by 4: 1916 / 4 = 479
Convert 479 into Roman numerals: 479 = 400 (CD) + 70 (LXX) + 9 (IX) = CDLXXIX
If you multiply the year MCMXVI by III, what is the product in Roman numerals?
The product is MMMMDCCXLVIII
Convert MCMXVI into its decimal form:
MCMXVI = 1916
Multiply by 3: 1916 × 3 = 5748
Convert 5748 into Roman numerals: 5748 = 5000 (MMMM) + 700 (DCC) + 40 (XL) + 8 (VIII) = MMMMDCCXLVIII
Convert the Roman numeral MCMXVI to its decimal form.
In decimal form, MCMXVI is 1916
Break MCMXVI into components:
M = 1000
CM = 900 (1000 - 100)
XVI = 16 (10 + 5 + 1)
Add values: 1000 + 900 + 16 = 1916
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.