Last updated on May 26th, 2025
Roman numerals are a 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.
The royal titles, such as Henry I, Henry II, and so on. Have you noticed the names and wondered what these symbols (I and II) represented? Those are the Roman Numerals.
Earlier people used to count using fingers, sticks, bones, etc. When life became complex, a standard form was required to count. 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 MCMLXXXVII to represent 1987. Here, M is 1000, CM is 900, L is 50, XXX is 30, and VII is 7. 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, VII → V + I + I → 5 + 1 + 1 = 7
To write a large number, certain Roman Numerals can be repeated up to three times. XXX → 30.
If a small number precedes a large number in Roman Numerals, we subtract the smaller number from the large number. For example, IX → X - I → 10 - 1 = 9
The symbols cannot be repeated more than three times, and some symbols like V, L, and D cannot be repeated. For example, we won't write LL for 100; instead, we use C.
Let’s now learn how to write 1987 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 1987 in Roman numerals using the expansion method. To write 1987 in Roman Numerals, follow these steps:
Step 1: Break the number based on the place value—ones, tens, hundreds, etc. For 1987, we write it as 1000 + 900 + 80 + 7
Step 2: Convert the number into Roman Numerals
Step 3: Combine the Roman Numerals together. Therefore, 1987 in Roman Numeral is M (1000) + CM (900) + LXXX (80) + VII (7) = MCMLXXXVII
When writing a large number into Roman Numerals, we group the number. To write 1987 in Roman Numeral, we group 1987 as 1000 + 900 + 80 + 7
So, 1987 is written as MCMLXXXVII in Roman Numerals.
Students make mistakes when writing a number in Roman Numerals. To master Roman Numerals, we can learn a few common mistakes and the ways to avoid them.
A historian is cataloging artifacts from the year MCMLXXXVII and finds three more artifacts from the year MCM. How many years apart are these artifacts?
The artifacts are LXXXVII years apart.
MCMLXXXVII is 1987 and MCM is 1900.
The difference between these years is 1987 - 1900 = 87.
In Roman Numerals, 87 is written as LXXXVII.
A library has a collection of MCM volumes, and it plans to add another LXXXVII volumes this year. What will be the total number of volumes in the library?
The total number of volumes in the library will be MCMLXXXVII.
MCM represents 1900 and LXXXVII represents 87.
Adding these together: 1900 + 87 = 1987.
In Roman Numerals, 1987 is written as MCMLXXXVII.
If a novel was published in the year MDCCC and a sequel was published in the year MCMLXXXVII, how many years passed between the two publications?
CLXXXVII years passed between the two publications.
MDCCC is 1800 and MCMLXXXVII is 1987.
The difference between these years is 1987 - 1800 = 187.
In Roman Numerals, 187 is written as CLXXXVII.
Calculate the sum of the years MCMXXX and LVII.
The sum of the years MCMXXX and LVII is MCMLXXXVII.
MCMXXX is 1930 and LVII is 57.
Adding these together: 1930 + 57 = 1987.
In Roman Numerals, 1987 is written as MCMLXXXVII.
A time capsule was buried in the year MCML and is planned to be opened in the year MCMLXXXVII. How many years will the capsule have been buried?
The capsule will have been buried for XXXVII years.
MCML is 1950 and MCMLXXXVII is 1987.
The difference between these years is 1987 - 1950 = 37.
In Roman Numerals, 37 is written as XXXVII.
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.