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Last updated on February 24th, 2025
Roman numerals are a way of expressing numbers using specific symbols. I, V, X, L, C, D, and M are the symbols used. Roman numerals appear in various contexts such as royal titles, book names, sequences, and more. Here, we will discuss Roman numerals, their rules, and examples.
Royal titles, such as Henry I, Henry II, and so on, often use Roman numerals. Have you noticed the names and wondered what these symbols represented?
Those are Roman numerals. In ancient times, people used fingers, sticks, and bones for counting. As life grew more complex, a standard form was needed, leading to the Roman numeral system. The Romans used I (1), V (5), X (10), L (50), C (100), D (500), and M (1000) as symbols.
In Roman numerals, we use DCCCLXI to represent 861, where D is 500, CCC is 300, L is 50, X is 10, and I is 1. 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 to remember when writing numbers in Roman numerals.
The addition method is used when a smaller number is placed after a larger number. For example, XI → X + I → 10 + 1 = 11
Some Roman numerals can be repeated up to three times. For example, CCC → 300.
If a smaller number precedes a larger number, it is subtracted. For example, IX → X - I → 10 - 1 = 9
Certain symbols cannot be repeated more than three times, and some symbols like V, L, and D cannot be repeated. For example, we don't use VV for 10; instead, we use X. Similarly, 8 is written as VIII, not IIIIIIII.
Let’s now learn how to write 861 in Roman numerals. Follow these methods to write the number in Roman numerals.
In the expansion method, the number is broken down based on place value. Here’s how to write 861 in Roman numerals using this method. To write 861 in Roman numerals, follow these steps:
Step 1: Break the number based on place value: hundreds, tens, and ones. For 861, we write it as 800 + 60 + 1.
Step 2: Convert the numbers into Roman numerals:
800 in Roman numerals is DCCC.
60 in Roman numerals is LX.
1 in Roman numerals is I.
Step 3: Combine these Roman numerals:
Therefore, 861 in Roman numerals is DCCC (800) + LX (60) + I (1) = DCCCLXI.
When writing a large number into Roman numerals, we group the numbers.
To write 861 in Roman numerals, we group 861 as 800 + 60 + 1.
800 in Roman numerals — DCCC
60 in Roman numerals — LX
1 in Roman numerals — I
So, 861 is written as DCCCLXI in Roman numerals.
Convert DCCCXLII and XIX into Roman numerals and find their sum.
A historian found DCCCXLII artifacts and wants to distribute them equally among XIX museums. How many artifacts will each museum receive?
Calculate the difference between CM and DCCCXLII in Roman numerals.
A treasure chest contains DCCCXLII gold coins, and a thief steals LXXXI coins. How many coins are left?
Write the Roman numeral for the product of XLVII and XIX using the multiplication 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.