Last updated on May 26th, 2025
Roman numerals are a way of expressing numbers using symbols such as I, V, X, L, C, D, and M. They are often used in royal titles, book names, sequences, and more. Here we will discuss Roman numerals, the rules for their use, and provide examples.
Royal titles, like Henry VIII or Louis XIV, use Roman numerals. Have you ever wondered what these symbols represent? They are part of the Roman numeral system. In ancient times, people counted using fingers, sticks, bones, etc. As societies became more complex, a standardized counting system was needed.
The ancient Romans developed the Roman numeral system. The symbols used are I (1), V (5), X (10), L (50), C (100), D (500), and M (1000). In Roman numerals, we use CDLXXXVI to represent 486. Here, C is 100, D is 500, L is 50, X is 10, and VI is 6.
Let’s learn more about Roman numerals and how we write them.
There are certain basic rules to write numbers in Roman numerals. In this section, let’s discuss some basic rules that need to be remembered when writing numbers in Roman numerals.
The addition method is used when a smaller number is placed after a larger number. For example, VI → V + I → 5 + 1 = 6.
To write larger numbers, some Roman numerals can be repeated up to three times. For example, XXX → 30.
If a smaller numeral precedes a larger numeral, it is subtracted. For example, IX → X - I → 10 - 1 = 9.
Symbols cannot be repeated more than three times, and some symbols like V, L, and D cannot be repeated. For example, we write 10 as X and 8 as VIII, not IIIIIIII.
Let’s now learn how to write 486 in Roman numerals. Follow these methods to write the number in Roman numerals.
In the expansion method, numbers are broken down based on place value. In this section, we will learn how to write 486 in Roman numerals using the expansion method. To write 486 in Roman numerals, follow these steps:
Step 1: Break down the number based on place value: hundreds, tens, and ones. For 486, we write it as 400 + 80 + 6.
Step 2: Convert each part into Roman numerals:
Step 3: Combine the Roman numerals: Therefore, 486 in Roman numerals is CD (400) + LXXX (80) + VI (6) = CDLXXXVI.
When writing a large number in Roman numerals, we group the number. To write 486 in Roman numerals, group it as 400 + 80 + 6:
So, 486 is written as CDLXXXVI in Roman numerals.
Students often make mistakes when writing numbers in Roman numerals. To master Roman numerals, we can learn from a few common mistakes and how to avoid them.
A historian discovers a manuscript claiming the construction of an ancient building took CDLXXXVI days. Convert this duration into months, assuming an average month has XXX days.
The construction took approximately XVI months.
First, convert CDLXXXVI into numbers: 486. Assuming an average month has 30 days, divide the total days by the number of days in a month: 486 / 30 = 16.2, which is approximately 16 months. XVI in Roman numerals represents 16.
An artist is commissioned to create CDLXXXVI unique art pieces and distribute them equally among L artists. How many art pieces will each artist receive?
Each artist will receive IX art pieces.
First, convert the numbers to decimal: CDLXXXVI is 486 and L is 50. Divide the total number of art pieces by the number of artists: 486 / 50 = 9. In Roman numerals, 9 is represented as IX.
Calculate the total distance a runner covers if he runs CD miles on the first day and LXXXVI miles on the second day.
The total distance covered is CDLXXXVI miles.
Convert the Roman numerals to numbers: CD = 400 and LXXXVI = 86. Add these together: 400 + 86 = 486. The total distance, 486, is written as CDLXXXVI in Roman numerals.
Determine the number of empty seats in a theater if it has a capacity of D seats and CDLXXXVI seats are occupied.
There are XIV empty seats.
First, convert the numbers to decimals: D = 500 and CDLXXXVI = 486. Subtract the occupied seats from the total capacity: 500 - 486 = 14. In Roman numerals, 14 is represented as XIV.
Write the Roman Numeral for the sum of CCCXL and CXLVI using the expansion method.
The Roman numeral for the sum is CDLXXXVI.
Step 1: Convert each number to Roman numerals: CCCXL = 340 and CXLVI = 146. Step 2: Add the numbers together: 340 + 146 = 486. Using the expansion method, write 486 as 400 + 80 + 6 = CDLXXXVI.
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.