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Last updated on March 28th, 2025
Roman numerals are a way of expressing numbers using symbols. I, V, X, L, C, D, and M are the symbols used. Roman Numerals appear in royal titles, book names, sequences, and more. Here, we will discuss Roman Numerals, rules, and examples.
Royal titles, such as Henry I, Henry II, and so on, use Roman Numerals. Have you noticed these names and wondered what the symbols (I and II) represented? 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. I (1), V (5), X (10), L (50), C (100), D (500), and M (1000) are the symbols they used.
In Roman Numerals, we use CCLVII to represent 257. Here, C is 100, L is 50, V is 5, and II is 2. Let’s learn more about Roman numerals and how we write them.
Certain basic rules must be remembered when writing a number in Roman Numerals.
Rule 1: Addition Method
The addition method is used when a smaller number is placed after a larger number. For example, VII → V + II → 5 + 2 = 7
Rule 2: Repetition Method
To write a large number, certain Roman Numerals can be repeated up to three times. III → 3.
Rule 3: Subtraction Method
If a smaller number is placed before a larger number, we subtract the smaller number from the larger number. For example, IV → V - I → 5 - 1 = 4
Rule 4: Limitation Rule
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 LL for 100; instead, we use C.
Let’s learn how to write 257 in Roman Numerals using different methods.
In the expansion method, the number is broken down based on place value. Here’s how to write 257 in Roman Numerals using the expansion method:
Step 1: Break down the number based on place value (ones, tens, hundreds).
For 257, we write it as 200 + 50 + 7
Step 2: Convert the number into Roman Numerals
200 in Roman Numerals — CC
50 in Roman Numerals — L
7 in Roman Numerals — VII
Step 3: Combine them together.
Therefore, 257 in Roman Numerals is CC (200) + L (50) + VII (7) = CCLVII
When writing a large number in Roman Numerals, we group the number.
To write 257 in Roman Numerals, we group 257 as 200 + 50 + 7.
200 in Roman Numerals — CC
50 in Roman Numerals — L
7 in Roman Numerals — VII
So, 257 is written as CCLVII in Roman Numerals.
A historian finds a document stating that DCCLXXXV soldiers were divided equally among III groups. How many soldiers were in each group?
Find the sum of CLX and XCVII.
A collector has a total of DXVI rare coins, and he wants to split them into equal groups of II. How many coins will each group contain?
What is the difference between CCLX and III?
Write the Roman Numeral for 150 + 107 using the expansion method.