Last updated on May 26th, 2025
Roman numerals are a 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.
Royal titles, such as Henry I, Henry II, and so on, employ Roman Numerals. Have you noticed the names and wondered what these symbols (I and II) represented? Those are Roman Numerals. Earlier people used to count using fingers, sticks, bones, etc., to count. 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 DCXCVII to represent 697, where D is 500, C is 100, X is 10, V is 5, 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, then it is the addition method. For example, DCXCVII → D + C + X + V + I + I → 500 + 100 + 10 + 5 + 1 + 1 = 697
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. It is a subtraction method. 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 for 8, we write VIII, not IIIIIIII.
Let’s now learn how to write 697 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 697 in Roman numerals using the expansion method. To write 697 in Roman Numerals, follow the steps:
Step 1: Break the number based on the place value. Place value that is ones, tens, hundreds, etc. For 697, we write it as 500 + 100 + 90 + 7.
Step 2: Convert the number into Roman Numerals.
Step 3: Combine the Roman Numerals together. Therefore, 697 in Roman Numeral is D (500) + C (100) + XC (90) + VII (7) = DCXCVII
When writing a large number into Roman Numerals, we group the number. To write 697 in Roman Numerals, we group 697 as 500 + 100 + 90 + 7.
So, 697 is written as DCXCVII 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.
A historian finds DCCLXVII ancient coins. How many more coins does he need to have M coins in total?
He needs CCCXXXIII more coins.
To find how many more coins are needed, subtract the number of coins he currently has from M.
M = 1000
DCCLXVII = 767
1000 - 767 = 233
233 in Roman numerals can be written as CCXXXIII.
A museum has a total of MCM items. They divide these items equally into XXVII sections. How many items are in each section?
Each section has LXXIII items.
To find the number of items per section, divide the total number of items by the number of sections.
MCM = 1900
XXVII = 27
1900 / 27 = 70 with a remainder, which is approximately 73 items per section.
73 in Roman numerals can be written as LXXIII.
Calculate the total weight if each of the DCLXXXVII artifacts weighs II kilograms.
The total weight is MMDCCLXXIV kilograms.
To find the total weight, multiply the number of artifacts by the weight of each.
DCLXXXVII = 687
II = 2
687 × 2 = 1374
1374 in Roman numerals is MMDCCLXXIV.
What is the sum of CDL and CCXLVII?
The sum of CDL and CCXLVII is DCXCVII.
To find the sum, add the two numbers together.
CDL = 450
CCXLVII = 247
450 + 247 = 697
697 in Roman numerals is DCXCVII.
Express the difference between M and CCCIII using Roman numerals.
The difference is DCLXVII.
Subtract CCCIII from M to find the difference.
M = 1000
CCCIII = 303
1000 - 303 = 697
697 in Roman numerals can be written as DCLXVII.
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.