Last updated on May 26th, 2025
Roman numerals are a system of expressing numbers using symbols. I, V, X, L, C, D, and M are the symbols used in this system. Roman Numerals are often seen in royal titles, book chapters, sequences, and more. Here, we will discuss Roman Numerals, their rules, and examples.
Royal titles, such as Henry I, Henry II, and so on, often use Roman Numerals. Have you noticed these symbols (I, II) and wondered what they represent? They are Roman Numerals. In ancient times, people counted using fingers, sticks, bones, etc., but as life became more complex, a standard form of counting was needed.
The ancient Romans developed the Roman Numeral system for counting. The symbols used are I (1), V (5), X (10), L (50), C (100), D (500), and M (1000). In Roman Numerals, we use MDCC to represent 1700, where M is 1000, D is 500, and CC is 200.
Let’s learn more about Roman Numerals and how we write them.
There are certain basic rules for writing numbers in Roman Numerals. In this section, let’s discuss some basic rules to remember when writing numbers in Roman Numerals.
The addition method is used when a smaller number is placed after a larger number. For example, MDCC → M + D + C + C → 1000 + 500 + 100 + 100 = 1700.
To write larger numbers, certain Roman Numerals can be repeated up to three times. For example, CCC → 300.
If a smaller numeral precedes a larger numeral, we subtract the smaller number from the larger one. For example, XC → C - X → 100 - 10 = 90.
Symbols cannot be repeated more than three times, and some symbols like V, L, and D cannot be repeated. We won't write DD for 1000; instead, we use M, and we write 8 as VIII, not IIIIIIII.
Let’s learn how to write 1700 in Roman Numerals. Follow these methods to write the number in Roman Numerals:
In the expansion method, the number is broken down based on place value. In this section, we will learn how to write 1700 in Roman Numerals using the expansion method. To write 1700 in Roman Numerals, follow these steps:
Step 1: Break the number based on place value: thousands, hundreds, tens, and ones. For 1700, we write it as 1000 + 500 + 200.
Step 2: Convert the numbers into Roman Numerals:
Step 3: Combine the Roman Numerals. Therefore, 1700 in Roman Numerals is M (1000) + D (500) + C (100) + C (100) = MDCC.
When writing a large number in Roman Numerals, we group the numerals. To write 1700 in Roman Numerals, group 1700 as 1000 + 500 + 200.
So, 1700 is written as MDCC in Roman Numerals.
Students often make mistakes when writing numbers in Roman Numerals. To master Roman Numerals, we can learn about a few common mistakes and how to avoid them.
A historian is researching a significant event that took place in MDCC and wants to calculate how many centuries have passed since then. How many centuries have passed?
Three centuries have passed since MDCC.
MDCC is the Roman numeral for 1700.
To calculate how many centuries have passed since 1700, we subtract 1700 from the current year (assuming it is 2000 for simplicity). 2000 - 1700 = 300 years.
300 years correspond to 3 centuries.
An archaeologist found an ancient artifact dated MDCC and wants to know how many years ago it was made from the current year MCMXCIX. How many years ago was it made?
The artifact was made 299 years ago.
MDCC is 1700 in Roman numerals and MCMXCIX is 1999.
To find out how many years ago the artifact was made, subtract 1700 from 1999.
1999 - 1700 = 299 years.
Calculate the sum of MDCC and CCCXLV.
The sum of MDCC and CCCXLV is MMXLV.
MDCC is 1700 and CCCXLV is 345.
The sum of 1700 and 345 is 2045.
2045 in Roman numerals is MMXLV.
If a library was established in the year MDCC and it's now the year MMXXIII, how many years has the library been operational?
The library has been operational for 323 years.
MDCC is 1700, and MMXXIII is 2023.
To find out how many years the library has been operational, subtract 1700 from 2023.
2023 - 1700 = 323 years.
Convert the year MDCC plus the number for LXXX to a single Roman numeral.
The conversion of MDCC plus LXXX is MDCCLXXX.
MDCC is 1700 and LXXX is 80.
Adding these together gives 1780.
1780 in Roman numerals can be written as MDCCLXXX.
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.