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 MCMXLII to represent 1942. Here, M is 1000, CM is 900, XL is 40, and II is 2. 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.
The addition method is used when the smaller number is placed after the larger number. For example, VI → V + I → 5 + 1 = 6
To write a large number, there are certain Roman Numerals that can be repeated up to three times. III → 3.
If a small number is followed by a large number in Roman Numerals, we subtract the smaller number from the large number. For example, IX → X - I → 10 - 1 = 9
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, and 8 is written as VIII, not IIIIIIII.
Let’s now learn how to write 1942 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 1942 in Roman numerals using the expansion method. To write 1942 in Roman Numerals, follow the steps:
Step 1: Break down the number based on the place value. Place values are thousands, hundreds, tens, and ones. For 1942, we write it as 1000 + 900 + 40 + 2
Step 2: Converting the number into Roman Numerals
Step 3: Combine the Roman Numerals together. Therefore, 1942 in Roman Numeral is M (1000) + CM (900) + XL (40) + II (2) = MCMXLII
When writing a large number into Roman Numerals, we group the number. To write 1942 in Roman Numeral, we group it as 1000 + 900 + 40 + 2.
So, 1942 is written as MCMXLII in Roman Numerals.
Students make mistakes when writing a number in Roman Numerals. To master Roman Numerals, we can learn a few common mistakes and the ways to avoid them.
In a historical play, a scene takes place in the year MCMXLII. If the play covers a period of XX years from that point, in what year does the play end?
The play ends in the year MCMXLXII.
The year MCMXLII in Roman numerals is 1942.
Adding XX (which is 20) to 1942 gives us 1962.
Thus, the play ends in the year 1962, which is MCMXLXII in Roman numerals.
A museum is showcasing artifacts from the year MCMXLII. If they have a collection of CM artifacts and they plan to display XLII of them each month, how many months will it take to display all artifacts?
It will take XXI months to display all artifacts.
CM is 900 and XLII is 42.
To find out how many months it will take to display the artifacts, divide 900 by 42. 900 / 42 ≈ 21.428.
Since they can only display whole artifacts, it will take 21 full months, which is XXI in Roman numerals.
An art historian is studying paintings from the year MCMXLII and finds that LXXXIV paintings are stored in one gallery and CLVIII in another. What is the total number of paintings in both galleries?
The total number of paintings is CCXLII.
LXXXIV is 84 and CLVIII is 158.
Adding them gives 84 + 158 = 242.
Thus, the total number of paintings is 242, which is CCXLII in Roman numerals.
During a reenactment of a battle from MCMXLII, XI soldiers were initially in the frontline. If after a strategic move IX more soldiers joined them, how many soldiers are now in the frontline?
There are XX soldiers in the frontline.
Initially, there were XI (11) soldiers, and IX (9) more joined them.
Adding these gives 11 + 9 = 20.
Thus, there are 20 soldiers in the frontline, which is XX in Roman numerals.
Write the Roman Numeral for the sum of the digits in MCMXLII.
The Roman numeral for the sum of the digits is XIV.
The digits in MCMXLII are 1, 9, 4, 2.
Adding these gives 1 + 9 + 4 + 2 = 16.
The Roman numeral for 16 is XVI.
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.