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Last updated on February 25th, 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 more. Here we will discuss Roman Numerals, rules, and examples.
The royal titles, such as Henry I, Henry II, and so on, use Roman Numerals. Have you noticed these symbols (I and II) and wondered what they represent?
Those are Roman Numerals. In ancient times, people used fingers, sticks, bones, etc., to count. As life became more complex, a standard form was required for counting. Ancient Romans used the Roman Numeral system, which includes symbols like I (1), V (5), X (10), L (50), C (100), D (500), and M (1000).
In Roman Numerals, we use MCMXCVI to represent 1996. Here, M is 1000, CM is 900, XC is 90, and VI is 6. 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
Certain Roman Numerals can be repeated three times to write larger numbers. For example, III → 3.
If a smaller number is placed before a larger number in Roman Numerals, we subtract the smaller number from the larger number. For example, CM → M - C → 1000 - 100 = 900
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.
Let’s now learn how to write 1996 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 1996 in Roman numerals using the expansion method.
To write 1996 in Roman Numerals, follow the steps:
Step 1: Break the number based on place values: ones, tens, hundreds, etc. For 1996, we write it as 1000 + 900 + 90 + 6.
Step 2: Convert the number into Roman Numerals:
1000 in Roman Numeral — M
900 in Roman Numeral — CM
90 in Roman Numeral — XC
6 in Roman Numeral — VI
Step 3: Combine the Roman Numerals together.
Therefore, 1996 in Roman Numeral is M (1000) + CM (900) + XC (90) + VI (6) = MCMXCVI.
When writing a large number into Roman Numeral, we group the number.
To write 1996 in Roman Numeral, we group 1996 as 1000 + 900 + 90 + 6.
1000 in Roman Numeral — M
900 in Roman Numeral — CM
90 in Roman Numeral — XC
6 in Roman Numeral — VI
So, 1996 is written as MCMXCVI in Roman Numerals.
What is the sum of MCM and XCVI?
A library has MCMXCVI books and decides to donate CCLX books to a charity. How many books remain in the library?
A historian discovers two artifacts dated at M and CMXCVI years old respectively. What is the difference in age between the two artifacts?
A movie was released in the year MCMXCVI. If it was re-released X years later, in what year did the re-release occur?
Convert the Roman numeral MCMXCVI into Arabic numerals using the subtraction method.
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.