Last updated on May 26th, 2025
Roman numerals are the 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. to count earlier. 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 CDI to represent 401. Here, C is 100, D is 500, 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.
Rule 1: Addition Method
The addition method is used when the smaller number is placed after the larger number. For example, VI → V + I → 5 + 1 = 6.
Rule 2: Repetition Method
To write a large number, certain Roman numerals can be repeated up to three times. For example, XXX → 30.
Rule 3: Subtraction Method
If a smaller number is followed by a larger number in Roman numerals, we subtract the smaller number from the larger 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. For 8, we write VIII, not IIIIIIII.
Let’s now learn how to write 401 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 401 in Roman numerals using the expansion method.
To write 401 in Roman numerals, follow the steps:
Step 1: Break the number based on the place value. Place values are ones, tens, hundreds, etc.
For 401, we write it as 500 100 + 1.
Step 2: Converting the number into Roman numerals:
500 in Roman numerals — D
100 in Roman numerals — C
1 in Roman numerals — I
Step 3: Combining them into Roman numerals together.
Therefore, 401 in Roman numerals is D (500) C (100) + I (1) = CDI.
When writing a large number in Roman numerals, we group the number. To write 401 in Roman numerals, we group 401 as 500 100 + 1.
500 in Roman numerals — D
100 in Roman numerals — C
1 in Roman numerals — I
So, 401 is written as CDI in Roman numerals.
Students make mistakes when writing numbers in Roman numerals. To master Roman numerals, we can learn a few common mistakes and ways to avoid them.
A historian is cataloging a collection of ancient coins. He has DCLXI coins from one era and needs to distribute them equally among IV historians. How many coins will each historian receive?
Each historian will receive CLXV coins.
To find the number of coins each historian receives, divide the total number of coins by the number of historians.
DCLXI = 661
IV = 4
Therefore, DCLXI / IV = 661 / 4 = 165.25
Since the historian can only distribute whole coins, each will receive CLXV coins (165 in Roman numerals).
An architect is designing a series of arches and needs to use CDIV bricks for each arch. If he completes C arches, how many bricks has he used in total?
The total number of bricks used is XL thousand four hundred.
Calculate the total number of bricks by multiplying the number of bricks per arch by the number of arches.
CDIV = 404
C = 100
404 × 100 = 40,400
40,400 in Roman Numerals is XL thousand four hundred (note: typically, numbers this large are not expressed in Roman numerals, but this is a hypothetical scenario).
A mathematician is exploring patterns in Roman numerals. She adds MMXL and CDII. What is the result?
The sum of MMXL and CDII is MMCDXLII.
Sum is the result of adding two numbers.
MMXL = 2040
CDII = 402
2040 + 402 = 2442
2442 in Roman Numerals is MMCDXLII.
The sum of MMXL and CDII is MMCDXLII.
A poet is arranging a sequence of lines. She has written DCCXX lines and wants to write CDXX more. How many lines will she have in total?
The total number of lines will be MCL.
Add the number of lines already written to the new lines to find the total.
DCCXX = 720
CDXX = 420
720 + 420 = 1140
1140 in Roman Numerals is MCL.
The total number of lines will be MCL.
A scholar is studying ancient texts and finds that he reads XX pages an hour. If he reads for XIX hours, how many pages has he read?
The total number of pages read is CCCLXXX.
Multiply the number of pages read per hour by the number of hours.
XX = 20
XIX = 19
20 × 19 = 380
380 in Roman Numerals is CCCLXXX.
The scholar has read CCCLXXX pages.
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.