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Last updated on February 24th, 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.
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 (I and II) represented?
Those are Roman numerals. Earlier, people used fingers, sticks, bones, etc., to count. When life became complex, a standard form was required. 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 DCCCLXIII to represent 863, where D is 500, CCC is 300, LX is 60, 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, DCCCLXIII → D + CCC + LX + III → 500 + 300 + 60 + 3 = 863.
To write larger numbers, certain Roman numerals can be repeated up to three times. For example, CCC → 300.
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.
Symbols cannot be repeated more than three times, and some symbols like V, L, and D cannot be repeated. For example, we don't write VV for 10; instead, we use X, and 8 is written as VIII, not IIIIIIII.
Let’s now learn how to write 863 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 863 in Roman numerals using the expansion method.
To write 863 in Roman numerals, follow these steps:
Step 1: Break the number based on place value: ones, tens, hundreds, etc. For 863, we write it as 800 + 60 + 3.
Step 2: Convert the number into Roman numerals.
800 in Roman numerals — DCCC
60 in Roman numerals — LX
3 in Roman numerals — III
Step 3: Combine the Roman numerals together.
Therefore, 863 in Roman numerals is DCCC (800) + LX (60) + III (3) = DCCCLXIII.
When writing a large number into Roman numerals, we group the number.
To write 863 in Roman numerals, we group 863 as 800 + 60 + 3.
800 in Roman numerals — DCCC
60 in Roman numerals — LX
3 in Roman numerals — III
So, 863 is written as DCCCLXIII in Roman numerals.
Calculate the sum of DCCCLX and III.
A historian counted CCCCXLII artifacts and then found CDXXI more. How many artifacts does he have now?
A library has two sections with CD books in each. How many books are there in total?
A marathon runner completed a race in segments of CCLXXXVII meters each. If he ran it three times, how many meters did he run in total?
Write the Roman Numeral for the difference between CMX and XLVII 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.