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. Have you noticed the names and wondered what these symbols (I and II) represented? Those are 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 MMXV to represent 2015, where M is 1000, X is 10, and V is 5. 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 the smaller number is placed after the larger number. For example, XV → X + V → 10 + 5 = 15.
To write a large number, there are certain Roman numerals that can be repeated up to three times. III → 3.
If a smaller number is followed by a larger number in Roman numerals, we subtract the smaller number from the larger number. For example, IX → X - I → 10 - 1 = 9.
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. Similarly, 8 is written as VIII, not IIIIIIII.
Let’s now learn how to write 2015 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 2015 in Roman numerals using the expansion method. To write 2015 in Roman numerals, follow the steps:
Step 1: Break the number based on the place value. Place values are ones, tens, hundreds, etc. For 2015, we write it as 2000 + 10 + 5.
Step 2: Convert the numbers into Roman numerals. 2000 in Roman numerals — MM 10 in Roman numerals — X 5 in Roman numerals — V
Step 3: Combine the Roman numerals together. Therefore, 2015 in Roman numerals is MM (2000) + X (10) + V (5) = MMXV.
When writing a large number into Roman numerals, we group the numbers.
To write 2015 in Roman numerals, we group 2015 as 2000 + 10 + 5.
2000 in Roman numerals — MM
10 in Roman numerals — X
5 in Roman numerals — V
So, 2015 is written as MMXV in Roman numerals.
Students make mistakes when writing numbers in Roman numerals. To master Roman numerals, we can learn a few common mistakes and the ways to avoid them.
A historian wants to know the year MDXXX and the year DLXV combined in the context of ancient events. What is their combined total in Roman numerals?
The combined total of MDXXX and DLXV is MMCCXCV.
MDXXX is 1530 and DLXV is 565.
The sum of 1530 and 565 is 2095.
2095 in Roman numerals is MMCCXCV.
An art collector has MD paintings and acquires XV more. How many paintings does the collector have now, in Roman numerals?
The art collector now has MXXV paintings.
MD is 1500 and XV is 15.
The total number of paintings is 1500 + 15 = 1515.
1515 in Roman numerals is MXXV.
A city was founded in the year MCM. How many years have passed since its founding until the year MMXV?
The number of years since the founding is CXV.
MCM is 1900 and MMXV is 2015.
The difference is 2015 - 1900 = 115.
115 in Roman numerals is CXV.
If a manuscript was written in the year MX and discovered in the year MMXV, how many years was it hidden?
The manuscript was hidden for MLV years.
MX is 1010 and MMXV is 2015. The difference is 2015 - 1010 = 1005. 1005 in Roman numerals is MLV.
Calculate the Roman numeral representation for the sum of the years MCMLXV and L. Express your answer in Roman numerals.
The Roman numeral for the sum of MCMLXV and L is MMXV.
MCMLXV is 1965 and L is 50.
The sum is 1965 + 50 = 2015.
2015 in Roman numerals is MMXV.
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.