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Last updated on February 19th, 2025
In ancient Rome, letters were used to represent numbers for easy calculation. Fixed letters were used to denote this numeral system. Even today, in many places, Roman numerals are used to denote royalty, book chapter numbers, or clock faces. In this article, we will learn about Roman numerals and their applications.
XII is the symbol used in Roman numerals to represent 12 .There are seven basic symbols in the system to represent particular numbers, which are as follows :
I - 1
V - 5
X - 10
L - 50
C - 100
D - 500
M - 1000
As per these symbols, XII represents 12 in Roman numerals. In this numeral system, there is no symbol for zero (0). In this article, we will learn about the numeral XII and different methods to represent it.
Rule 1: Addition Method — In the addition method, you will combine different Roman numerals. When a smaller or the same number is placed after the larger number, we will simply add it - X (10) + II (2) = XII(12)
Rule 2: Repetition Method — In this method, a Roman numeral can only be used up to 3 times to get a larger value
X - 10
X + I = XI(11)
X + I + I = XII (12)
X + I + I + I = XIII(13)
We can’t write XIIII for 14,it's XIV (14)
Rule 3: Subtraction Method — From the repetition method, we got to know that a symbol can’t be used more than 3 times, then how will we write 14 ? Here, we will use the subtraction method. If the smaller numeral is placed before the larger numeral, then you have to subtract the smaller numeral from the larger numeral. For example, in XIV (14), there are two parts: X (10) and IV (4). Here, IV is obtained by subtracting I (1) from V (5), which equals 4. Together, this forms XIV (14).
Rule 4: Limitation Rule - In Roman numerals we can't repeat a number more than 3 times.after that,we have to use different symbols here you will use addition and subtraction methods. For example - we can't write 4 as IIII, instead we write IV (subtraction method subtracting I(1) from V(5) to get IV(4). For 10, we use X. Here, we can't use VV because there are specific letters assigned to the values, for example (V - 5, X- 10, L - 50, C - 100, D - 500, M - 1000) we have to use these symbols for the specific values. These rules make it easy for us to use the numeral system.
To write 12 in Roman numerals, we can simply write it as XII. It can be done using two methods :
Expansion Method: In this method, we will break the Roman numeral into smaller parts based on their values and then add them. Here, XII(12) is made up of 2 parts that are 10 and 2 . 10 can be written as X . 2 can be written as II . Now if we add it X + X + II = 12.
Grouping method - We look at the numerals and group them based on the rules of addition, subtraction, and repetition and add them. Example XIV
X - 10, IV - 4 (since I came before V we subtract 1 from 5).
Addition rule: When a smaller numeral is placed after a larger numeral or equal numeral, then it is said to be additive grouping. Example: II = 1 +1 = 2
Subtractive rule: When a smaller numeral is placed before a larger numeral, then it is said to be subtractive grouping. Example: IV = 5-1 = 4
Repetition: A numeral can be repeated up to 3 times, and not more than that. Example: III = 1+1+1=3, XXX= 10+10+10= 30.
The expansion method is about breaking the numbers according to their place values such as thousands, hundreds, and so on. Follow the steps given below for better understanding.
Place values such as hundreds and tens are broken down first.
We will express the value as a Roman numeral.
We will then combine the values to get the correct numerals.
For instance,
XII : X = 10
II = 2
Therefore, the expansion of XII is
10(X) + 2(II) = XII(12)
In Roman numerals, large numbers are expressed through grouping methods. Here are a few grouping methods shown below:
First, we identify the Roman numerals that need to be added or subtracted.
Add or subtract the values of the smaller numerals.
Then add these values to get the desired Roman numeral.
For instance, XII :
XII = 12
X = 10
II = 2
Here we add:10 + 2 = 12
Combinations of numerals that represent specific values are what the grouping method focuses on.
What is the clock format of the number 12 ?
What is the result when you subtract 1 from the Roman numeral XIII ?
If you have the Roman numeral VII and you add V , what is the result in Roman numerals?
What is the difference between IX and XI?
What do you get if you subtract I(1) from XIII (13)?
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.