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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 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 MMXVI to represent 2016, where M is 1000, X is 10, V is 5, and I is 1. 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, XVI → X + V + I → 10 + 5 + 1 = 16
To write a larger number, certain Roman numerals can be repeated up to three times. For example, XXX → 30.
If a small number is followed by 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, and 8 is written as VIII, not IIIIIIII.
Let’s now learn how to write 2016 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 2016 in Roman numerals using the expansion method.
To write 2016 in Roman numerals, follow the steps:
Step 1: Break down the number based on the place value. Place values are ones, tens, hundreds, etc. For 2016, we write it as 2000 + 10 + 5 + 1
Step 2: Converting the number into Roman numerals
2000 in Roman numerals — MM
10 in Roman numerals — X
5 in Roman numerals — V
1 in Roman numerals — I
Step 3: Combine the Roman numerals together.
Therefore, 2016 in Roman numerals is MM + X + V + I = MMXVI
When writing a large number in Roman numerals, we group the number.
To write 2016 in Roman numerals, we group 2016 as 2000 + 10 + 5 + 1
2000 in Roman numerals — MM
10 in Roman numerals — X
5 in Roman numerals — V
1 in Roman numerals — I
So, 2016 is written as MMXVI 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.
Calculate the area of a rectangle with length MMXVI and width V.
The area of the rectangle is MXCVIII
The area of a rectangle is found by multiplying the length by the width. In this case, the length is MMXVI (2016) and the width is V (5).
Therefore, the area is 2016 × 5 = 10080. 10080 in Roman Numerals can be written as MXCVIII.
A historian is reviewing documents from the year 2016. If he reviews XL documents per day, how many days will it take to review MMXVI documents?
It will take LI days.
To find the number of days required, divide the total number of documents by the number of documents reviewed per day.
MMXVI = 2016 documents,
XL = 40 documents per day.
Therefore, 2016 / 40 = 50.4. Rounding up, it will take 51 days. 51 in Roman numerals is LI.
A marathon started in the year MMXVI. If the runners have completed MCMXVI meters, how many more meters do they need to run to complete MMXVI meters?
The runners need to cover C meters.
To find out how many meters are left, subtract the meters already run from the total meters.
MMXVI = 2016 meters,
MCMXVI = 1916 meters.
Therefore, 2016 - 1916 = 100 meters. 100 in Roman Numerals is C.
A digital clock displays the time as 20:16. Convert this time into Roman numerals.
The time 20:16 in Roman numerals is XX:XVI.
To convert the time into Roman numerals, convert each number separately.
20 is XX and 16 is XVI.
Therefore, the time 20:16 is XX:XVI.
Write the Roman Numeral for the sum of MMXVI and DCCC using the expansion method.
The Roman numeral for the sum of MMXVI and DCCC is MMMDCCCXVI.
Step 1: Convert the numbers into Roman numerals.
MMXVI = 2016
DCCC = 800
Step 2: Add the numbers together: 2016 + 800 = 2816
Step 3: Use the expansion method: 2816 = 2000 + 800 + 16 = MMMDCCCXVI.
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.