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Last updated on March 2nd, 2025

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MDXI Roman Numerals

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Foundation
Intermediate
Advance Topics

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 MDXI.

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What is MDXI in Roman Numerals?

Ancient Romans discovered that counting fingers could get very complicated after 10. To overcome this 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. MDXI in Roman numerals can be written in number form by adding the values of each Roman numeral, i.e. MDXI = 1511.

 

Let us learn more about the Roman numeral MDXI, how we write it, the mistakes we usually make, and ways to avoid these mistakes.

 

mdxi roman numerals

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Basic Rules for MDXI in Roman Numerals

When writing Roman numerals, there are a few rules that we need to follow based on the numerals we are trying to write. In this section, we will learn about the rules when writing Roman numerals and how to represent them.

 

Rule 1: Addition Method:

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.

 

Rule 2: Repetition Method:

A symbol that is repeated three times in continuation increases the value of the numeral. For example, XXX = 30.

 

Rule 3: Subtraction Method:

We use the subtraction method when a smaller symbol precedes a larger symbol. For example, XL = 40 (which is 50 – 10).

 

Rule 4: Limitation Rule:

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.

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How to Write MDXI in Roman Numerals?

Let us learn about how to write MDXI in Roman numerals. There are two methods that we can use to write Roman numerals:

 

  • By Expansion Method
  • By Grouping Method
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MDXI in Roman Numeral by Expansion Method

The breaking down of Roman numerals into parts and then converting them into numerals is what we call the expansion method. The expansion method involves breaking down 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 MDXI:

 

Step 1: First we break the Roman numerals. MDXI = M + D + X + I

 

Step 2: Write the Roman Numerals for each part

The Roman Numeral M is 1000

The Roman Numeral D is 500

The Roman Numeral X is 10

The Roman Numeral I is 1

 

Step 3: Combine all the numbers M + D + X + I = 1000 + 500 + 10 + 1 = 1511. Therefore, the Roman Numeral MDXI is 1511.

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MDXI in Roman Numeral by Grouping Method

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 MDXI.

 

Step 1: The larger Roman numerals are what we will begin with. Once split, the Roman numerals we get are M, D, X, and I. The numeral for M is 1000 The numeral for D is 500 The numeral for X is 10 The numeral for I is 1

 

Step 2: Now we need to either add or subtract the smaller numbers, depending on their placement.

 

Here we add D, X, and I to M and we will get MDXI. Therefore, the numeral of MDXI is 1511.

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Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them in MDXI Roman Numerals

Students can make mistakes when studying Roman numerals. Here are a few common mistakes students make, and ways to avoid them.

Mistake 1

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Mistakes when applying the repetition method

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It can be quite confusing for beginners to remember that Roman Numerals cannot be repeated more than three times. Another thing to keep in mind is that Roman Numerals such as V, L, and D cannot be repeated.

 

For example, writing LL as 100 is incorrect; the correct answer is C.

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MDXI Roman Numerals Examples

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Problem 1

If you have MDXI apples and you give away DXLV apples, how many do you have left? Write the answer in Roman numerals.

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The remaining apples are DLXVI.

Explanation

Convert both Roman numerals into their decimal form:

MDXI = 1511

DXLV = 545

Subtract the numbers: 1511 - 545 = 966

Convert 966 into Roman numerals: 900 (CM) + 60 (LX) + 6 (VI) = CMXLVI

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Problem 2

A historian notes that a manuscript was written in the year MDXI and discovered in the year MMXII. How many years passed between these two events? Provide the answer in Roman numerals.

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The number of years that passed is DIIII.

Explanation

Convert the years into decimal form:

MDXI = 1511

MMXII = 2012

Subtract the earlier year from the later year: 2012 - 1511 = 501

Convert 501 into Roman numerals: 500 (D) + 1 (I) = DI

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Problem 3

Multiply MDXI by III and express the result in Roman numerals.

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The product is MMMXXXIII.

Explanation

Convert MDXI into its decimal form:

MDXI = 1511

Multiply by 3: 1511 × 3 = 4533

Convert 4533 into Roman numerals: 4000 (MMMM) + 500 (D) + 30 (XXX) + 3 (III) = MMMMXXXIII

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Problem 4

A mural is painted in MDXI square meters. If it is expanded by CCXLIV square meters, what is the new total in Roman numerals?

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The new total is MDCCLV.

Explanation

Convert the areas into decimal form:

MDXI = 1511

CCXLIV = 244

Add the areas: 1511 + 244 = 1755

Convert 1755 into Roman numerals: 1000 (M) + 700 (DCC) + 50 (L) + 5 (V) = MDCCLV

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Problem 5

Convert MDXI into its decimal form.

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In decimal form, MDXI is 1511.

Explanation

Break MDXI into components: M = 1000 D = 500 X = 10 I = 1 Add the values: 1000 + 500 + 10 + 1 = 1511

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FAQs on MDXI Roman Numerals

1.What is IX in Roman numerals?

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2.Is MDXI a prime number?

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3.What is MDXI + I?

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4.What is MDX in Roman numerals?

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5.Subtract X from MDXI

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Important Glossaries for MDXI Roman Numerals

  • Limitation Rule: There are some symbols that cannot be repeated more than once (V, L, D). For example, LVV for 60 is wrong; the correct answer is LX.

 

  • Place Value: The position of a digit in a number; this position determines its value. For example, the number 5 in 1511 is in the hundred's place.

 

  • Prime Number: A number that has only two factors or multiples is called a prime number. For example, 13 is a prime number that has only two factors: 1 and itself.

 

  • Subtraction Method: A Roman numeral rule where a smaller numeral before a larger one means you subtract the smaller from the larger.

 

  • Addition Method: A Roman numeral rule where a larger numeral followed by a smaller one means you add the numerals together.
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Hiralee Lalitkumar Makwana

About the Author

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.

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Fun Fact

: She loves to read number jokes and games.

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