Last updated on May 26th, 2025
Roman numerals are a way of expressing numbers using symbols such as I, V, X, L, C, D, and M. Roman Numerals are used in various contexts, such as royal titles, book names, sequences, and more. Here, we will be discussing Roman Numerals, their rules, and examples.
Royal titles, like Henry I, Henry II, and so on, often use Roman numerals. Have you noticed these symbols and wondered what they represent? They are Roman Numerals. In ancient times, people used fingers, sticks, and bones for counting.
As life became more complex, a standardized form was needed, leading to the Roman Numeral system. The symbols used are I (1), V (5), X (10), L (50), C (100), D (500), and M (1000). In Roman Numerals, we use MCDV to represent 1405. Here, M is 1000, CD is 400, and V is 5.
Let’s learn more about Roman numerals and how we write them.
There are certain basic rules for writing numbers in Roman Numerals. In this section, let’s discuss some basic rules that need to be remembered.
The addition method is used when a smaller number is placed after a larger number. For example, VI → V + I → 5 + 1 = 6.
Certain Roman Numerals can be repeated up to three times. For example, XXX → 30.
If a smaller number precedes a larger number, we subtract the smaller from the larger. For example, IV → V - I → 5 - 1 = 4.
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 learn how to write 1405 in Roman Numerals. Follow these methods to write the number.
In the expansion method, the number is broken down based on place value. In this section, we will learn how to write 1405 in Roman numerals using this method. To write 1405 in Roman Numerals, follow these steps:
Step 1: Break the number based on place values: thousands, hundreds, tens, and ones. For 1405, we write it as 1000 + 400 + 5.
Step 2: Convert each number into Roman Numerals:
Step 3: Combine the Roman Numerals: Therefore, 1405 in Roman Numerals is M (1000) + CD (400) + V (5) = MCDV.
When writing a large number in Roman Numerals, we group the number. To write 1405 in Roman Numerals, we group 1405 as 1000 + 400 + 5.
So, 1405 is written as MCDV 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 how to avoid them.
A historian found a manuscript with the year written as MCDV. What year does this represent in modern numerals?
The year MCDV in modern numerals is 1405.
MCDV is the Roman numeral representation of the number 1405. Here, M = 1000, CD = 400, and V = 5. Therefore, MCDV = 1000 + 400 + 5 = 1405.
A museum has MCDV artifacts, and each display case holds CL artifacts. How many full display cases can the museum fill?
The museum can fill IX full display cases.
To find the number of full display cases, divide the total number of artifacts by the capacity of one case.
MCDV = 1405
CL = 150
1405 / 150 = 9 with a remainder
So, IX full display cases can be filled.
A treasure chest contains a mix of MCD and V gold coins. Determine the total value of coins in the chest.
The total value of the coins is MCDV.
To find the total value, add the values of MCD and V.
MCD = 1400
V = 5
1400 + 5 = 1405
The total value in Roman numerals is MCDV.
During a historical reenactment, a group of soldiers reenacts a battle from the year MCDV. If each of the XLX soldiers represents a decade, how many decades are represented?
The number of decades represented is XIV.
To find the number of decades represented by the soldiers, convert the Roman numeral to modern numbers. XLX is not a valid Roman numeral, so let's assume it's meant to be LX, which represents 60. 60 / 10 = 6 Therefore, the number of decades is VI.
A stone inscription mentions the years MIII and CCCII. What is the total number of years represented?
The total number of years represented is MCCCXV.
Add the years represented by the Roman numerals MIII and CCCII.
MIII = 1003
CCCII = 302
1003 + 302 = 1305
The total in Roman numerals is MCCCXV.
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.