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Last updated on February 28th, 2025
To meet their daily commerce and administration needs, the ancient Romans developed Roman numerals. They 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 CMLXXXVII.
Ancient Romans discovered that counting fingers could get very complicated after 10. To overcome this 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 represent numbers in the Roman numeric system — I, V, X, L, C, D, and M.
The numerals consist of different combinations of these symbols. CMLXXXVII in Roman numerals can be written in number form by adding the values of each Roman numeral, i.e., CMLXXXVII = 987.
Let us learn more about the Roman numeral CMLXXXVII, how we write it, 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 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 three times in continuation increases the numeral's value. 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 how to write CMLXXXVII 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: Write each Roman numeral with its numerical digit in the place value.
Step 3: Add the numerals together. For CMLXXXVII,
Step 1: First, we break the Roman numerals. CMLXXXVII = CM + L + X + X + X + V + I + I
Step 2: Write the Roman numerals for each part. The Roman Numeral CM is 900 The Roman Numeral L is 50 The Roman Numeral X is 10 The Roman Numeral V is 5 The Roman Numeral I is 1
Step 3: Combine all the numbers. CM + L + X + X + X + V + I + I = 900 + 50 + 10 + 10 + 10 + 5 + 1 + 1 = 987. Therefore, the Roman Numeral CMLXXXVII is 987.
Using subtraction and addition rules, we will apply the grouping method. This means we break the Roman numerals into smaller groups, making 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 CMLXXXVII.
Step 1: The larger Roman numerals are what we will begin with. Once split, the Roman numerals we get are CM, LXXX, and VII. The numeral for CM is 900.
Step 2: Now we need to either add or subtract the smaller number, depending on its place. Here we add LXXX and VII to CM, and we will get CMLXXXVII. The Roman numeral LXXX is 80. The Roman numeral VII is 7. Therefore, the numeral of CMLXXXVII is 987.
You have a collection of CMLXXXVII coins. You find another CLXVIII coins. How many coins do you have in total? Provide the answer in Roman numerals.
If you have a ribbon that is CMLXXXVII cm long and you cut off DLIII cm, how much ribbon is left? Provide the answer in Roman numerals.
What is one-third of CMLXXXVII? Give the answer in Roman numerals.
Calculate the product of CMLXXXVII and III. Provide the answer in Roman numerals.
Convert CMLXXXVII into its decimal form.
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.