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.
Roman Numerals are often seen in royal titles, such as Henry I, Henry II, etc. These symbols (I and II) represent numbers.
The Ancient Romans developed the Roman Numeral system to facilitate counting. I (1), V (5), X (10), L (50), C (100), D (500), and M (1000) are the symbols used. In Roman Numerals, 983 is represented as CMLXXXIII, where CM is 900, LXXX is 80, and III is 3.
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, VIII → V + I + I + I → 5 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 8
To write a large number, certain Roman Numerals can be repeated up to three times. III → 3.
If a small number precedes a large number in Roman Numerals, we subtract the smaller number from the large number. For example, IX → X - I → 10 - 1 = 9
Symbols cannot be repeated more than three times, and some symbols like V, L, and D cannot be repeated. For instance, we write XL for 40 instead of XXXX.
Let’s now learn how to write 983 in Roman Numerals. Follow these methods to write the number in Roman Numerals.
In the expansion method, based on place value, the number is broken down. In this section, we will learn how to write 983 in Roman numerals using the expansion method. To write 983 in Roman Numerals, follow these steps:
Step 1: Break the number based on place value: ones, tens, hundreds, etc. For 983, we write it as 900 + 80 + 3.
Step 2: Convert the numbers into Roman Numerals:
Step 3: Combine the Roman Numerals together. Therefore, 983 in Roman Numerals is CM (900) + LXXX (80) + III (3) = CMLXXXIII
When writing a large number in Roman Numerals, we group the number. To write 983 in Roman Numerals, we group 983 as 900 + 80 + 3.
So, 983 is written as CMLXXXIII 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 the ways to avoid them.
A historian discovers a document stating that a Roman amphitheater seated CMLXXXIII spectators. If the amphitheater is divided into XVII equal sections, how many spectators can sit in each section?
Each section can accommodate LVIII spectators.
To find the number of spectators per section, divide the total number of spectators by the number of sections: CMLXXXIII = 983
XVII = 17
983 / 17 = 57.
8235 (rounded down to the nearest whole number, since you can't have a fraction of a spectator) Therefore, each section can accommodate 58 spectators. LVIII is the Roman numeral for 58.
An ancient Roman festival had a parade that lasted CCCXLV minutes. If each segment of the parade lasted exactly XXXI minutes, how many segments were in the parade?
The parade had XI segments.
To find the number of segments, divide the total time by the time per segment:
CCCXLV = 345
XXXI = 31
345 / 31 = 11.
129 (rounded down to the nearest whole number) Therefore, the parade had 11 segments. XI is the Roman numeral for 11.
During an archaeological excavation, a team found a set of XCIX coins. If the coins are divided equally among IX archaeologists, how many coins does each receive?
Each archaeologist receives XI coins.
To determine how many coins each archaeologist receives, divide the total number of coins by the number of archaeologists:
XCIX = 99
IX = 9
99 / 9 = 11
Therefore, each archaeologist receives 11 coins. XI is the Roman numeral for 11.
A Roman legion was initially composed of DCC soldiers. After a battle, they lost CCLXVII soldiers. How many soldiers remained in the legion?
The legion had CDXXXIII soldiers remaining.
Subtract the number of soldiers lost from the initial number of soldiers:
DCC = 700
CCLXVII = 267
700 - 267 = 433
CDXXXIII is the Roman numeral for 433.
Write the Roman Numeral for 983 - 45 using the subtraction method.
The Roman numeral for 983 - 45 is CMXXXVIII.
Step 1: Convert the numbers to Roman numerals:
983 = CMLXXXIII
45 = XLV
Subtract the numbers: 983 - 45 = 938
Using the subtraction method: 938 = 900 + 30 + 8 = CM + XXX + VIII = CMXXXVIII.
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.