Last updated on May 26th, 2025
To meet their daily commerce and administration needs, the ancient Romans developed Roman numerals using 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 MCMXXIII.
Ancient Romans discovered that counting on fingers could get very complicated after 10. To overcome this complexity, the Roman numeric system was developed. This system 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. MCMXXIII in Roman numerals can be written in numeric form by adding the values of each Roman numeral, i.e., MCMXXIII = 1923.
Let us learn more about the Roman numeral MCMXXIII, how to write it, the common 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 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 repeated up to three times in succession increases the value of the numeral. For example, XXX = 30.
We use the subtraction method when a smaller symbol precedes a larger 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 how to write MCMXXIII 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. This involves breaking down the 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 MCMXXIII,
Step 1: First, we break the Roman numerals. MCMXXIII = M + CM + X + X + I + I + I
Step 2: Write the Roman numerals for each part. The Roman numeral M is 1000. The Roman numeral CM is 900. The Roman numeral X is 10. The Roman numeral I is 1.
Step 3: Combine all the numbers. M + CM + X + X + I + I + I = 1000 + 900 + 10 + 10 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 1923. Therefore, the Roman numeral MCMXXIII is 1923.
Using subtraction and addition rules, we will apply the grouping method. This means we break the Roman numerals into smaller groups, which makes them 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 MCMXXIII.
Step 1: The larger Roman numerals are what we will begin with. Once split, the Roman numerals we get are M, CM, and XXIII. The numeral for M is 1000. The numeral for CM is 900.
Step 2: Now we need to either add or subtract the smaller number, depending on its place.
Here we add XXIII to MCM and we will get MCMXXIII. The Roman numeral XXIII is 23. Therefore, the numeral of MCMXXIII is 1923.
Students can make mistakes when studying Roman numerals. Here are a few common mistakes students make, and ways to avoid them.
If a book was published in MCMXXIII, how many years ago was that from the year MMXXIII?
It was 100 years ago.
Convert both Roman numerals to their decimal form:
MCMXXIII = 1923
MMXXIII = 2023
Subtract the years: 2023 - 1923 = 100
A movie was released in MCMXXIII and re-released in MMXXXIII. Calculate the gap in years and write the answer in Roman numerals.
The gap is CX.
Convert the Roman numerals to decimal:
MCMXXIII = 1923
MMXXXIII = 2033
Subtract the years: 2033 - 1923 = 110
Convert 110 to Roman numerals: 110 = 100 (C) + 10 (X) = CX
A historical artifact was discovered in MCMXXIII and is estimated to be MMM years old. What is the estimated year of origin in Roman numerals?
The estimated year of origin is CMLXXVII.
Convert MCMXXIII to decimal: MCMXXIII = 1923 Subtract the age in years:
1923 - 3000 = -1077
Convert -1077 to Roman numerals (absolute value): 1077 = 1000 (M) + 70 (LXX) + 7 (VII) = MLXXVII
For BC, prefix with a minus or use the context of BC/AD.
What is the sum of MCMXXIII and MDCCC? Write the answer in Roman numerals.
The sum is MMMDCCXXIII.
Convert the Roman numerals to decimal:
MCMXXIII = 1923
MDCCC = 1800
Add the numbers: 1923 + 1800 = 3723
Convert 3723 to Roman numerals: 3000 (MMM) + 700 (DCC) + 20 (XX) + 3 (III) = MMMDCCXXIII
Convert the year MCMXXIII into a different numeral system, binary.
In binary, MCMXXIII is 11110000011.
Convert MCMXXIII to decimal:
MCMXXIII = 1923
Convert 1923 to binary: 1923 in binary = 11110000011
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.