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Last updated on February 21st, 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. Have you noticed the names and wondered what these symbols (I and II) represented? Those are the 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 CCCXC to represent 390. Here, CCC is 300 and XC is 90. 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 a large number, certain Roman numerals can be repeated up to three times. CCC → 300 (C is repeated three times).
Rule 3: Subtraction Method
If a small number precedes a large number in Roman numerals, we subtract the smaller number from the larger number using the subtraction method. For example, IX → X - I → 10 - 1 = 9
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, and 8 is written as VIII, not IIIIIIII.
Let’s now learn how to write 390 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 390 in Roman numerals using the expansion method.
To write 390 in Roman numerals, follow the steps:
Step 1: Break down the number based on place value. The place values are ones, tens, hundreds, etc.
For 390, we write it as 300 + 90
Step 2: Convert the numbers into Roman numerals
300 in Roman numerals — CCC
90 in Roman numerals — XC
Step 3: Combine the Roman numerals together.
Therefore, 390 in Roman numerals is CCC (300) + XC (90) = CCCXC
When writing a large number in Roman numerals, we group the number.
To write 390 in Roman numerals, we group 390 as 300 + 90
300 in Roman numerals — CCC
90 in Roman numerals — XC
So, 390 is written as CCCXC in Roman numerals.
A historian is cataloging ancient artifacts and notes that there are two collections, one containing CLXXXV items and another containing CCV items. What is the total number of items, and how would you express this in Roman numerals?
A library organizes its books in such a way that each shelf holds XXX books. If there are XIII shelves, how many books are there in total, and what is this number in Roman numerals?
An artist is painting a mural that requires CCCXC square feet of wall space. If the wall is divided into two sections, one measuring CC square feet and the other measuring the remainder, what is the size of the second section in Roman numerals?
A school distributed CCCXC pencils evenly among XXX students. How many pencils did each student receive, and express this in Roman numerals?
Write the Roman numeral for 250 + 140 using the subtraction method.
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.