Last updated on May 26th, 2025
To meet their daily commerce and administration needs, the ancient Romans developed Roman Numerals. It used a combination of seven symbols — I, V, X, L, C, D, and M to represent numbers. Roman numerals were used to record transactions, keep track of data, and label military units. In this topic, we are going to learn about the Roman numeral MCCC.
Ancient Romans discovered that counting fingers could get very complicated after 10. So to overcome the complexity, the Roman numeric system was developed. This was widely used throughout Europe as a standard writing system until the late Middle Ages.
Seven symbols are used to represent numbers in the Roman numeric system — I, V, X, L, C, D, and M. The numerals are made up of different combinations of these symbols. MCCC in Roman numerals can be written in number form by adding the values of each Roman numeral, i.e. MCCC = 1300.
Let us learn more about the Roman numeral MCCC, how we write them, the mistakes we usually make, and ways to avoid these mistakes.
When writing Roman numerals, there are a few rules that we need to follow based on the Roman numerals we are trying to write. In this section, we will learn about the rules when writing Roman numerals and how to represent them.
When a larger symbol is followed by a smaller symbol, we add the numerals to each other. For example, in VIII, we have 5 + 3 = 8.
A symbol that is repeated three times in continuation increases the value of the numeral. For example, XXX = 30.
We use the subtraction method when a larger symbol follows a smaller symbol. For example, XL = 40 (which is 50 – 10).
Symbols cannot be repeated more than three times, and some symbols, such as V, L, and D, cannot be repeated more than once. For example, 10 is represented as X and not VV.
Let us learn about how to write MCCC in Roman numerals. There are two methods that we can use to write Roman numerals:
The breaking down of Roman numerals into parts and then converting them into numerals is what we call the expansion method. The expansion method is the breaking down of Roman numerals into numerical form and adding them to get the final number.
Step 1: Break the Roman numerals into parts.
Step 2: Now write each of the Roman numerals with its numerical digit in the place value.
Step 3: Add the numerals together.
For MCCC,
Step 1: First, we break the Roman numerals. MCCC = M + C + C + C
Step 2: Write the Roman Numerals for each part The Roman Numeral M is 1000 The Roman Numeral C is 100
Step 3: Combine all the numbers M + C + C + C = 1000 + 100 + 100 + 100 = 1300. Therefore, the Roman Numeral MCCC is 1300.
Using subtraction and addition rules, we will apply the grouping method. This means we break the Roman numerals into smaller groups, which makes it easier to work with. This method groups the Roman numerals logically, and then we write the numbers for each group.
Step 1: Take the largest number and write the number for that Roman numeral.
Step 2: Write the Roman numeral using the subtraction and addition rules.
Example: Let’s take the Roman numeral MCCC.
Step 1: The larger Roman numerals are what we will begin with. Once split, the Roman numerals we get are M and CCC. The numeral for M is 1000.
Step 2: Now we need to either add or subtract the smaller number, depending on its place. Here we add CCC to M, and we will get MCCC. The Roman numeral CCC is 300. Therefore, the numeral of MCCC is 1300.
Students can make mistakes when studying Roman numerals. Here are a few common mistakes students make, and ways to avoid them.
What is the result of MCCC + CCCXC? Write the answer in Roman numerals.
The result is MDCCCXC.
Convert both Roman numerals into their decimal form:
MCCC = 1300
CCCXC = 390
Now add both numbers: 1300 + 390 = 1690
Now convert the number into its Roman numeral: 1690 = 1000 (M) + 600 (DC) + 90 (XC) = MDCCCXC
Calculate the difference between MCCC and DCCLXXX. Write your answer in Roman numerals.
The difference is DLXX.
Convert the Roman numerals into their decimal form:
MCCC = 1300
DCCLXXX = 780
Now subtract the numbers: 1300 - 780 = 520
Convert the number into its Roman numeral: 520 = 500 (D) + 20 (XX) = DLXX
Divide MMDC by 2 and write the answer in Roman numerals.
MCCC
Convert MMDC into its decimal form:
MMDC = 2600
Divide by 2: 2600 / 2 = 1300
Write 1300 in Roman numerals: 1300 = 1000 (M) + 300 (CCC) = MCCC
Find the product of MCCC and III.
MMMCM is the product of MCCC and III.
Write MCCC and III in numbers:
MCCC = 1300
III = 3
Multiply the numbers: 1300 × 3 = 3900
Convert 3900 into its Roman numerals: 3000 (MMM) + 900 (CM) = MMMCM
Convert MCCC into its decimal form.
In decimal form, MCCC is 1300.
Break MCCC into components:
M = 1000
CCC = 300 (C + C + C)
Add values: 1000 + 300 = 1300
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.