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Last updated on February 27th, 2025
To meet their daily commerce and administration needs, the ancient Romans developed Roman Numerals. It used a combination of seven symbols — I, V, X, L, C, D, and M to represent numbers. Roman numerals were used to record transactions, keep track of data, and label military units. In this topic, we are going to learn about the Roman numeral CDXXI.
Ancient Romans discovered that counting fingers could get very complicated after 10. So to overcome the complexity, the Roman numeric system was developed. This was widely used throughout Europe as a standard writing system until the late Middle Ages. Seven symbols are used to represent numbers in the Roman numeric system — I, V, X, L, C, D, and M. The numerals are made up of different combinations of these symbols. CDXXI in Roman numerals can be written in number form by combining the values of each Roman numeral, i.e., CDXXI = 421. Let us learn more about the Roman numeral CDXXI, how we write them, the mistakes we usually make, and ways to avoid these mistakes.
When writing Roman numerals, there are a few rules that we need to follow based on the Roman numerals we are trying to write. In this section, we will learn about the rules when writing Roman numerals and how to represent them. Rule 1: Addition Method: When a larger symbol is followed by a smaller symbol, we add the numerals to each other. For example, in VIII, we have 5 + 3 = 8. Rule 2: Repetition Method: A symbol that is repeated increases the value of the numeral. For example, XXX = 30. Rule 3: Subtraction Method: We use the subtraction method when a smaller symbol precedes a larger symbol. For example, XL = 40 (which is 50 – 10). Rule 4: Limitation Rule: Symbols cannot be repeated more than three times, and some symbols, such as V, L, and D, cannot be repeated more than once. For example, 10 is represented as X and not VV.
Let us learn about how to write CDXXI in Roman numerals. There are two methods that we can use to write Roman numerals: By Expansion Method By Grouping Method
The breaking down of Roman numerals into parts and then converting them into numerals is what we call the expansion method. The expansion method is the breaking down of Roman numerals into numerical form and adding them to get the final number. Step 1: Break the Roman numerals into parts. Step 2: Now write each of the Roman numerals with its numerical digit in the place value. Step 3: Add the numerals together. For CDXXI, Step 1: First, we break the Roman numerals. CDXXI = C + D + X + X + I Step 2: Write the Roman Numerals for each part. The Roman Numeral C is 100 The Roman Numeral D is 500 The Roman Numeral X is 10 The Roman Numeral I is 1 Step 3: Combine all the numbers C + D + X + X + I = 100 + 500 + 10 + 10 + 1 = 421. Therefore, the Roman Numeral CDXXI is 421.
Using subtraction and addition rules, we will apply the grouping method. This means we break the Roman numerals into smaller groups, which makes it easier to work with. This method groups the Roman numerals logically, and then we write the numbers for each group. Step 1: Take the largest number and write the number for that Roman numeral. Step 2: Write the Roman numeral using the subtraction and addition rules. Example: Let’s take the Roman numeral CDXXI. Step 1: The larger Roman numerals are what we will begin with. Once split, the Roman numerals we get are CD, XX, and I. The numeral for CD is 400. Step 2: Now we need to either add or subtract the smaller number, depending on its place. Here we add XX and I to CD, and we will get CDXXI. The Roman numeral XX is 20. The Roman numeral I is 1. Therefore, the numeral of CDXXI is 421.
A Roman merchant has CDXXI coins and spends CCXIV coins. How many coins does he have left? Write your answer in Roman numerals.
A historian is translating an ancient text that mentions the years CDXXI and DXXI. What is the difference between these two years? Write the result in Roman numerals.
An artifact is dated to be from CDXXI years ago. How many centuries ago is this? Express the result in Roman numerals.
If CDXXI is divided by III, what is the quotient in Roman numerals?
Convert CDXXI into its decimal form.
Limitation Rule: There are some symbols that cannot be repeated more than once (V, L, D). For example, VV for 10 is wrong; the correct answer is X. Place Value: The position of a digit in a number, this position determines its value. For example, the number 2 in 421 is in the hundreds place. Subtraction Method: A rule where a smaller numeral placed before a larger numeral indicates subtraction. For example, XL = 40 (50 - 10). Addition Method: A rule where numerals of equal or lesser value following a larger numeral are added. For example, VI = 6 (5 + 1). Roman Numeral System: An ancient numeric system using combinations of letters from the Latin alphabet (I, V, X, L, C, D, M).
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.