38 in Roman Numerals

The royal titles, such as Henry I, Henry II, and so on, use Roman numerals. Have you noticed the names and wondered what these symbols (I and II) represented? Those are Roman numerals. Earlier, people used fingers, sticks, bones, etc., to count. As 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 XXXVIII to represent 38; here, XXX is 30 and VIII is 8. 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.

Rule 1: Addition Method

The addition method is used when the smaller number is placed after the larger number. For example, XXXVIII → XXX + VIII → 30 + 8 = 38.

Rule 2: Repetition Method

To write a large number, certain Roman numerals can be repeated up to three times. For example, XXX → 30 (X is repeated three times).

Rule 3: Subtraction Method

If a small number is followed by a large number in Roman numerals, we subtract the smaller number from the large number. For example, IX → X - I → 10 - 1 = 9.

Rule 4: Limitation Rule

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, and 8 is written as VIII, not IIIIIIII.

Let’s now learn how to write 38 in Roman numerals. Follow these methods to write the number in Roman numerals.

• By Expansion Method
• By Grouping Method

In the expansion method, based on the place value, the number is broken down. In this section, we will learn how to write 38 in Roman numerals using the expansion method.

To write 38 in Roman numerals, follow these steps:

Step 1: Break the number based on the place value. Place values are ones, tens, hundreds, etc.

For 38, we write it as 30 + 8.

Step 2: Convert the numbers into Roman numerals.

30 in Roman numerals — XXX

8 in Roman numerals — VIII

Step 3: Combine the Roman numerals together.

Therefore, 38 in Roman numerals is XXX (30) + VIII (8) = XXXVIII.

When writing a large number into Roman numerals, we group the number.

To write 38 in Roman numerals, we group 38 as 30 + 8.

30 in Roman numerals — XXX

8 in Roman numerals — VIII

So, 38 is written as XXXVIII in Roman numerals.

Roman numerals follow a certain pattern, making them look similar. In this section, we will learn some numbers related to the Roman numeral 38.

• Addition rule: The addition method is used when a large number is followed by a smaller numeral; here, the values are added. For example, XXXVIII = XXX + VIII = 30 + 8 = 38.
   
• Grouping method: Here, the given numbers are grouped based on their place value, and then we convert each group into its Roman numerals. For example, 38 = 30 + 8 = XXXVIII.
   
• Repetition rule: In the Roman numeric system, certain symbols (I, X, C, M) can be repeated only up to three times. For example, XXX = 30 (X is repeated three times to represent the number 30).
   
• Subtraction method: This method is used when a smaller numeral precedes a larger numeral, and the smaller is subtracted from the larger. For example, IX = X - I = 9.
   
• Limitation rule: Certain numerals like V, L, and D cannot be repeated, and no symbol should be repeated more than three times in succession.