Last updated on May 26th, 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 MCMXX.
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. MCMXX in Roman numerals can be written in number form by adding the values of each Roman numeral, i.e., MCMXX = 1920.
Let us learn more about the Roman numeral MCMXX, 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.
When a larger symbol is followed by a smaller symbol, we add the numerals to each other. For example, in VI, we have 5 + 1 = 6.
A symbol that is repeated three times in continuation increases the value of the numeral. For example, CCC = 300.
We use the subtraction method when a larger symbol follows a smaller symbol. For example, CM = 900 (which is 1000 – 100).
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 MCMXX in Roman numerals. There are two methods that we can use to write Roman numerals:
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 MCMXX,
Step 1: First, we break the Roman numerals. MCMXX = M + CM + X + X
Step 2: Write the Roman Numerals for each part. The Roman Numeral M is 1000 The Roman Numeral CM is 900 The Roman Numeral X is 10
Step 3: Combine all the numbers. M + CM + X + X = 1000 + 900 + 10 + 10 = 1920. Therefore, the Roman Numeral MCMXX is 1920.
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 MCMXX.
Step 1: The larger Roman numerals are what we will begin with. Once split, the Roman numerals we get are M, CM, and XX. The numeral for M is 1000. The numeral for CM is 900. The numeral for XX is 20.
Step 2: Now we need to either add or subtract the smaller number, depending on its place.
Here we add CM and XX to M, and we will get MCMXX. Therefore, the numeral of MCMXX is 1920.
Students can make mistakes when studying Roman numerals. Here are a few common mistakes students make, and ways to avoid them.
Decode the Roman numeral MCMXX to its decimal form.
MCMXX in decimal form is 1920.
Break down MCMXX into components:
M = 1000
CM = 900 (1000 - 100)
XX = 20 (10 + 10)
Add values: 1000 + 900 + 20 = 1920
What is the Roman numeral representation of the year 1920?
The year 1920 is represented as MCMXX in Roman numerals.
Break down the number 1920:
1000 (M)
900 (CM) = 1000 - 100
20 (XX) = 10 + 10
Combine to form MCMXX
If MCMXX is divided by XL, what is the quotient in Roman numerals?
The quotient is XLVIII.
Convert MCMXX and XL into decimal form:
MCMXX = 1920
XL = 40
Divide 1920 by 40: 1920 / 40 = 48
Convert 48 into Roman numerals: 40 (XL) + 8 (VIII) = XLVIII
Add MCMXX and DLX and express the sum in Roman numerals.
The sum is MMCMLXX.
Convert MCMXX and DLX into decimal form:
MCMXX = 1920
DLX = 560
Add the numbers: 1920 + 560 = 2480
Convert 2480 into Roman numerals: 2000 (MM) + 400 (CD) + 80 (LXXX) = MMCMLXX
Subtract CCCXX from MCMXX in Roman numerals.
The result of the subtraction is MD.
Convert MCMXX and CCCXX into decimal form:
MCMXX = 1920
CCCXX = 320
Subtract the numbers: 1920 - 320 = 1600
Convert 1600 into Roman numerals: 1000 (M) + 600 (DC) = MDC
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.