Last updated on May 26th, 2025
Roman numerals are the 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., to count earlier. 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 CCCLXXXIX to represent 389. Here, CCC is 300, LXXX is 80, and IX is 9. 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, LXXX → L + X + X + X → 50 + 10 + 10 + 10 = 80
Rule 2: Repetition Method
To write a large number, there are certain Roman Numerals that can be repeated up to three times. For example, CCC → 100 + 100 + 100 = 300.
Rule 3: Subtraction Method
If a smaller number precedes a larger number in Roman Numerals, we subtract the smaller number from the larger number. 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 we write 8 as VIII, not IIIIIIII.
Let’s now learn how to write 389 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 389 in Roman numerals using the expansion method.
To write 389 in Roman Numerals, follow the steps:
Step 1: Break the number based on the place value. Place value that is ones, tens, hundreds, etc.
For 389, we write it as 300 + 80 + 9.
Step 2: Converting the number into Roman Numerals:
300 in Roman Numerals — CCC
80 in Roman Numerals — LXXX
9 in Roman Numerals — IX
Step 3: Combine the Roman Numerals together.
Therefore, 389 in Roman Numerals is CCC (300) + LXXX (80) + IX (9) = CCCLXXXIX.
When writing a large number into Roman Numerals, we group the number. To write 389 in Roman Numerals, we group 389 as 300 + 80 + 9.
300 in Roman Numerals — CCC
80 in Roman Numerals — LXXX
9 in Roman Numerals — IX
So, 389 is written as CCCLXXXIX in Roman Numerals.
Students make mistakes when writing a number in Roman Numerals. To master Roman Numerals, we can learn a few common mistakes and the ways to avoid them.
A historian is deciphering an ancient scroll that mentions a treasure hidden for CCCLXXXIX years. How would the historian write this number in Roman numerals?
The number 389 in Roman numerals is CCCLXXXIX.
The number 389 is composed of hundreds, tens, and units:
300 is written as CCC
80 is written as LXXX
9 is written as IX
Combining these, 389 becomes CCCLXXXIX.
An architect is planning a building with a total of CCCLXXXIX windows, arranged equally on XL floors. How many windows will each floor have?
Each floor will have IX windows.
To find the number of windows per floor, divide the total number of windows by the number of floors:
CCCLXXXIX = 389
XL = 40
389 ÷ 40 = 9.725, but since you can't have a fraction of a window, each floor will have 9 windows, written as IX in Roman numerals.
A collector has CCCLXXXIX coins and wants to add XLV more. What will be the total number of coins?
The total number of coins is CDXXXIV.
CCCLXXXIX = 389
XLV = 45
389 + 45 = 434
434 in Roman numerals is CDXXXIV.
An ancient manuscript describes a festival celebrated every CCCLXXXIX days. How often is the festival held in a year, assuming a year has CCCLXV days?
The festival is held once a year.
To determine how often the festival is held:
CCCLXXXIX = 389
CCCLXV = 365
Since 389 days exceed 365 days, the festival is held approximately once a year.
A library received a donation of CCCLXXXIX books, which will be distributed equally among VII sections. How many books will each section receive?
Each section will receive LV books.
To find out how many books each section gets:
CCCLXXXIX = 389
VII = 7
389 ÷ 7 = 55.571, but since books must be whole, each section receives 55 books, which is LV in Roman numerals.
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.