Last updated on May 26th, 2025
To meet their daily commerce and administration needs, the ancient Romans developed Roman Numerals. This system uses 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 MDCCCLXXXIX.
Ancient Romans discovered that counting fingers could get very complicated after 10. 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. MDCCCLXXXIX in Roman numerals can be written in number form by adding the values of each Roman numeral, i.e. MDCCCLXXXIX = 1889.
Let us learn more about the Roman numeral MDCCCLXXXIX, 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 VIII, we have 5 + 3 = 8.
A symbol that is repeated up to three times in succession increases the value of the numeral. For example, XXX = 30.
We use the subtraction method when a larger symbol follows a smaller symbol. For example, XL = 40 (which is 50 – 10).
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 MDCCCLXXXIX 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 involves breaking down 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 MDCCCLXXXIX,
Step 1: First we break the Roman numerals. MDCCCLXXXIX = M + D + C + C + C + L + X + X + X + I + X
Step 2: Write the Roman Numerals for each part The Roman Numeral M is 1000 The Roman Numeral D is 500 The Roman Numeral C is 100 The Roman Numeral L is 50 The Roman Numeral X is 10 The Roman Numeral I is 1
Step 3: Combine all the numbers M + D + C + C + C + L + X + X + X + I + X = 1000 + 500 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 50 + 10 + 10 + 10 + 1 + 9 = 1889. Therefore, the Roman Numeral MDCCCLXXXIX is 1889.
Using subtraction and addition rules, we will apply the grouping method. This means we break the Roman numerals into smaller groups, which makes them 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 MDCCCLXXXIX.
Step 1: The larger Roman numerals are what we will begin with. Once split, the Roman numerals we get are M, DCCC, LXXX, IX. The numeral for M is 1000. The numeral for DCCC is 800. The numeral for LXXX is 80.
Step 2: Now we need to either add or subtract the smaller number, depending on its place.
Here we add IX to LXXX and we will get LXXXIX. The Roman numeral IX is 9. Therefore, the numeral of MDCCCLXXXIX is 1889.
Students can make mistakes when studying Roman numerals. Here are a few common mistakes students make, and ways to avoid them.
Find the sum of MDCCCLXXXIX + CXL. Write the answer in Roman numerals.
The sum is MMXXIX
Convert both Roman numerals into their decimal form
MDCCCLXXXIX = 1889
CXL = 140
Now add both numbers: 1889 + 140 = 2029
Now convert the number into its Roman numeral. 2029 = 2000 + 20 + 9 = MMXXIX
What is the difference between MDCCCLXXXIX - DC? Write in Roman numerals.
The difference is MCCCLXXXIX
Convert the Roman numerals into their decimal form:
MDCCCLXXXIX = 1889
DC = 600
Now we subtract the numbers, 1889 - 600 = 1289
Convert the number into its Roman numeral, 1289 = 1000 + 200 + 80 + 9 = MCCCLXXXIX
Divide MDCCCLXXXIX by X and write the answer in Roman numerals.
CLXXXVIII
Convert MDCCCLXXXIX into its decimal form MDCCCLXXXIX = 1889
Divide by 10 1889/10 = 188
Write 188 in Roman numerals: 188 = 100 + 80 + 8 = CLXXXVIII
Find the product of MDCCCLXXXIX and II.
MMMDCCLXXVIII is the product of MDCCCLXXXIX and II.
Write MDCCCLXXXIX and II in numbers
MDCCCLXXXIX = 1889
II = 2
Multiply the numbers, 1889 × 2 = 3778
Convert 3778 into its Roman numerals, 3000 (MMM) + 700 (DCC) + 70 (LXX) + 8 (VIII) = MMMDCCLXXVIII
Convert MDCCCLXXXIX into its decimal form.
In decimal form MDCCCLXXXIX is 1889
Break MDCCCLXXXIX into components,
M = 1000
DCCC = 800 (D + C + C + C)
LXXX = 80 (L + X + X + X)
IX = 9 (X - I)
Add values: 1000 + 800 + 80 + 9 = 1889
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.