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, use Roman numerals. Have you noticed the names and wondered what these symbols (I and II) represented? Those are the Roman numerals. In earlier times, people used fingers, sticks, bones, etc., to count. As life became more 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 CCXVIII to represent 218, where CC is 200, X is 10, 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, XVIII → X + V + I + I + I → 10 + 5 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 18
Rule 2: Repetition Method
To write a large number, there are certain Roman numerals that can be repeated up to three times. III → 3.
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 218 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 218 in Roman numerals using the expansion method.
To write 218 in Roman numerals, follow the steps:
Step 1: Break the number based on the place value. Place values are ones, tens, hundreds, etc.
For 218, we write it as 200 + 10 + 8.
Step 2: Converting the number into Roman numerals
200 in Roman numerals — CC
10 in Roman numerals — X
8 in Roman numerals — VIII
Step 3: Combining the Roman numerals together.
Therefore, 218 in Roman numerals is CC (200) + X (10) + VIII (8) = CCXVIII
When writing a large number in Roman numerals, we group the numbers.
To write 218 in Roman numerals, we group 218 as 200 + 10 + 8:
200 in Roman numerals — CC
10 in Roman numerals — X
8 in Roman numerals — VIII
So, 218 is written as CCXVIII 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.
A historian discovered a chest containing CCXVIII ancient coins. If each coin is valued at V denarii, what is the total value of the coins in denarii?
The total value of the coins is MLX
Each coin is worth V denarii, and there are CCXVIII coins.
CCXVIII = 218
V = 5
The total value is 218 × 5 = 1090 denarii.
1090 in Roman Numerals is MLX.
A librarian needs to distribute MCMXCVI pages of ancient manuscripts equally into IX volumes. How many pages will each volume contain?
Each volume will contain CCXVIII pages.
To find the number of pages per volume, divide the total pages by the number of volumes.
MCMXCVI = 1996
IX = 9
1996 / 9 = 222 (repeating remainder), but the closest practical division for an even spread would be 218 pages per volume.
218 in Roman Numerals is CCXVIII.
Calculate the sum of CLXXVII and XLI.
The sum of CLXXVII and XLI is CCXVIII.
Sum is the result of adding two numbers.
CLXXVII = 177
XLI = 41
177 + 41 = 218
218 in Roman Numerals is CCXVIII.
What is the difference between CCL and XXXII?
The difference between CCL and XXXII is CCXVIII.
The difference of two numbers is the value obtained by subtracting one number from the other.
CCL = 250
XXXII = 32
250 32 = 218
218 in Roman Numerals can be written as CCXVIII.
Write the Roman Numeral for 200 + 18 using the expansion method.
The Roman for 200 + 18 is CCXVIII.
Step 1: Convert the numbers 200 and 18 into Roman numerals.
200 CC
18 XVIII
Add the numbers together: 200 + 18 = 218
Using the expansion method: 218 = 200 + 10 + 8 = CC + X + VIII = CCXVIII.
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.