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 MMIV to represent 2004. Here, M is 1000, and IV is 4. 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, VI → V + I → 5 + 1 = 6
To write a large number, certain Roman numerals can be repeated up to three times. III → 3.
If a small number precedes a large number in Roman numerals, we subtract the smaller number from the larger 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 VV for 10; instead, we use X. For 8, we write VIII, not IIIIIIII.
Let’s now learn how to write 2004 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 2004 in Roman numerals using the expansion method. To write 2004 in Roman numerals, follow these steps:
Step 1: Break the number based on place value. Place values are thousands, hundreds, tens, and ones.
For 2004, we write it as 2000 + 4
Step 2: Convert the numbers into Roman numerals
2000 in Roman numeral — MM
4 in Roman numeral — IV
Step 3: Combine the Roman numerals together.
Therefore, 2004 in Roman numeral is MM (2000) + IV (4) = MMIV
When writing a large number into Roman numerals, we group the number.
To write 2004 in Roman numerals, we group 2004 as 2000 + 4
2000 in Roman numeral — MM
4 in Roman numeral — IV
So, 2004 is written as MMIV in Roman numerals.
Students often make mistakes when writing a number in Roman numerals. To master Roman numerals, we can learn a few common mistakes and ways to avoid them.
A historian counts the years from MCM and adds another MMIV years to it. What is the resulting year in Roman numerals?
The resulting year is MMMCMIV.
First, convert the years to numbers:
MCM is 1900 and MMIV is 2004.
Adding these gives 1900 + 2004 = 3904.
In Roman numerals, 3904 is written as MMMCMIV.
A library has a collection of books published in MM years. If each book represents one year, and the library starts counting from the year M, how many years are accounted for in Roman numerals?
The years accounted for in Roman numerals are MMIV.
The library starts counting from year M (1000) and counts MM (2000) years.
So, 1000 + 2000 = 3000.
Thus, MMIV (2004) accounts for the years from 1000 to 3000, including 2004 additional years.
Therefore, the total is 3000 + 2004 = 5004, or MMIV in Roman.
A monument was built in the year MM and restored in the year MMIV. How many years passed between the building and the restoration, and what is this number in Roman numerals?
The number of years that passed is IV.
The monument was built in the year 2000 (MM) and was restored in the year 2004 (MMIV).
The difference is 2004 - 2000 = 4.
In Roman numerals, 4 is written as IV.
A time capsule created in the year MMIV is set to be opened after XX centuries. What will be the opening year in Roman numerals?
The opening year will be MMXIV.
MMIV is 2004. XX centuries is 20 x 100 = 2000 years.
Adding these together: 2004 + 2000 = 4004.
In Roman numerals, 4004 is written as MMMMIV.
However, if referring to another year, there might be a typo here. The Roman numeral for 2014 is MMXIV.
An artist is creating a series of MMIV paintings. If each painting is numbered sequentially in Roman numerals starting from I, what will be the Roman numeral for the last painting?
The Roman numeral for the last painting will be MMIV.
The artist is creating a series of 2004 paintings, starting from I.
Therefore, the series goes from I to MMIV, with MMIV being the last painting, which represents 2004 in Roman numerals.
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.