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.
The royal titles, such as Henry I, Henry II, and so on, often use Roman numerals. Have you noticed these symbols and wondered what they represented? Those are the Roman numerals. Earlier people used to count using fingers, sticks, bones, etc. As 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 CMLXXXVI to represent 986, where CM is 900, L is 50, XXX is 30, and VI is 6.
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 three times. For example, XXX → 30.
If a small number precedes a large number in Roman numerals, we subtract the smaller number from the large number. This is the subtraction method. For example, CM → M - C → 1000 - 100 = 900
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 we write 8 as VIII, not IIIIIIII.
Let’s now learn how to write 986 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 986 in Roman numerals using the expansion method. To write 986 in Roman numerals, follow the steps:
Step 1: Break the number based on the place value: hundreds, tens, and ones. For 986, we write it as 900 + 80 + 6
Step 2: Convert the number into Roman numerals:
Step 3: Combine the Roman numerals together. Therefore, 986 in Roman numerals is CM (900) + LXXX (80) + VI (6) = CMLXXXVI
When writing a large number into Roman numerals, we group the number. To write 986 in Roman numerals, we group 986 as 900 + 80 + 6
So, 986 is written as CMLXXXVI 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.
Multiply the Roman numerals CM and LXXVI. What is the product?
The product of CM and LXXVI is LXXVIII DCLX.
CM is 900 and LXXVI is 76. The product of 900 and 76 is 68,400. 68,400 in Roman Numerals is LXXVIII DCLX.
A library has CMXXX books and decides to distribute them equally among LVIII students. How many books will each student receive?
Each student will receive XVI books.
To find the number of books each student receives, divide the total number of books by the number of students. CMXXX = 930
LVIII = 58
930 / 58 = 16
16 in Roman Numerals is XVI.
Calculate the sum of DCCC and CLXXXVI.
The sum of DCCC and CLXXXVI is CMLXXXVI.
Sum is the result of adding two numbers.
DCCC = 800
CLXXXVI = 186
800 + 186 = 986
986 in Roman Numerals is CMLXXXVI.
What is the difference when you subtract CDLXXXV from CM?
The difference between CM and CDLXXXV is CDXV.
The difference of two numbers is the value we get when subtracting one number from the other.
CM = 900
CDLXXXV = 485
900 - 485 = 415
415 in Roman Numerals is CDXV.
Use the expansion method to write the Roman Numeral for 500 + 400 + 86.
The Roman Numeral for 500 + 400 + 86 is CMLXXXVI.
Step 1: Convert each number to Roman numerals.
500 - D
400 - CD
86 - LXXXVI
Add the numbers together: 500 + 400 + 86 = 986
Using the expansion method: 986 = 900 + 80 + 6 = CMLXXXVI.
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.