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 MCV.
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. MCV in Roman numerals can be written in number form by adding the values of each Roman numeral, i.e. MCV = 1105.
Let us learn more about the Roman numeral MCV, 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.
Rule 1: Addition Method:
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 MCV 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 MCV,
Step 1: First we break the Roman numerals. MCV = M + C + V
Step 2: Write the Roman Numerals for each part The Roman Numeral M is 1000 The Roman Numeral C is 100 The Roman Numeral V is 5
Step 3: Combine all the numbers M + C + V = 1000 + 100 + 5 = 1105. Therefore, the Roman Numeral MCV is 1105.
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 MCV.
Step 1: The larger Roman numerals are what we will begin with. Once split, the Roman numerals we get are M, C, and V. The numeral for M is 1000 The numeral for C is 100
Step 2: Now we need to either add or subtract the smaller number, depending on its place.
Here we add C and V to M and we will get MCV. The Roman numeral V is 5 Therefore, the numeral of MCV is 1105.
Students can make mistakes when studying Roman numerals. Here are a few common mistakes students make, and ways to avoid them.
Combine the ages of two Roman emperors, one aged MCV and the other aged CXX. Write the total in Roman numerals.
The total is MCCXXV
Convert both Roman numerals into decimal form:
MCV = 1105
CXX = 120
Add the ages together: 1105 + 120 = 1225
Convert the total into Roman numerals: 1225 = 1000 (M) + 200 (CC) + 20 (XX) + 5 (V) = MCCXXV
A Roman historian records a battle that began with MCV soldiers and ended with CCC soldiers. How many soldiers were lost, and write the answer in Roman numerals.
The number of soldiers lost is DCCV
Convert the Roman numerals into decimal form:
MCV = 1105
CCC = 300
Subtract to find the number of soldiers lost: 1105 - 300 = 805
Convert the number into Roman numerals: 805 = 500 (D) + 300 (CCC) + 5 (V) = DCCV
A treasure chest contains MCV gold coins. If the coins are distributed equally among five pirates, how many coins does each pirate receive? Provide the answer in Roman numerals.
Each pirate receives CCXI coins
Convert MCV into its decimal form:
MCV = 1105
Divide by 5: 1105 / 5 = 221
Convert 221 into Roman numerals: 221 = 200 (CC) + 20 (XX) + 1 (I) = CCXI
A Roman ship sails MCV miles in a week. If it sails the same distance every day, how far does it travel in one day? Express your answer in Roman numerals.
The ship travels CLVII miles in one day
Convert MCV into its decimal form:
MCV = 1105
Divide by 7 for daily travel: 1105 / 7 = 157
Convert 157 into Roman numerals: 157 = 100 (C) + 50 (L) + 5 (V) + 2 (II) = CLVII
Convert MCV into its decimal form.
In decimal form, MCV is 1105
Break MCV into components:
M = 1000
C = 100
V = 5
Add values: 1000 + 100 + 5 = 1105
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.