Last updated on May 26th, 2025
Roman numerals are a way of expressing numbers using specific symbols. The symbols we use are I, V, X, L, C, D, and M. Roman Numerals are used in royal titles, book names, sequences, and more. Here we will discuss Roman Numerals, rules, and examples.
Royal titles, such as Henry I, Henry II, and so on, often use Roman Numerals. Have you noticed these symbols and wondered what they represent? Those are Roman Numerals. Earlier societies used fingers, sticks, bones, etc., to count. As life became more complex, a standard form of counting was necessary. 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 CCXLVII to represent 247. Here, CC is 200, XL is 40, and VII is 7. 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.
Rule 1: Addition Method
The addition method is used when a smaller number is placed after a larger number. For example, VII → V + I + I → 5 + 1 + 1 = 7
Rule 2: Repetition Method
To write a large number, certain Roman Numerals can be repeated up to three times. For example, CCC → 300.
Rule 3: Subtraction Method
If a small number is followed by a large number in Roman Numerals, we subtract the smaller number from the larger number. For example, XL → L - X → 50 - 10 = 40
Rule 4: Limitation Rule
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 LL for 100; instead, we use C, and for 8, we write VIII, not IIIIIIII.
Let’s now learn how to write 247 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 247 in Roman numerals using the expansion method.
To write 247 in Roman Numerals, follow the steps:
Step 1: Break the number based on the place value. Place values are ones, tens, hundreds, etc.
For 247, we write it as 200 + 40 + 7.
Step 2: Convert the number into Roman Numerals.
Step 3: Combine the Roman Numerals together.
Therefore, 247 in Roman Numerals is CC (200) + XL (40) + VII (7) = CCXLVII.
When writing a large number into Roman Numerals, we group the number.
To write 247 in Roman Numerals, we group 247 as 200 + 40 + 7.
So, 247 is written as CCXLVII 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 is cataloging ancient artifacts and finds a collection of CCXLVII relics. If each display case can hold XX relics, how many full display cases can be filled?
The number of full display cases that can be filled is XII.
To determine how many full display cases can be filled, divide the total number of relics by the capacity of each display case:
CCXLVII / XX = 247 / 20 = 12 full cases.
12 in Roman numerals is XII.
A math competition awards CCXLVII points to a participant. If the participant scores only half of the maximum points, how many points did they score?
The participant scores CXXIII points.
To find out how many points the participant scores, divide the total points by 2:
CCXLVII = 247.
247 / 2 = 123.
123 in Roman numerals is CXXIII.
A library has CLXXX books on Roman history. They acquire an additional LXVII books. How many books do they now have?
The library now has CCXLVII books.
Add the number of books initially in the library to the additional books acquired:
CLXXX = 180
LXVII = 67
180 + 67 = 247
247 in Roman numerals is CCXLVII.
A marathon race has CCXLVII participants, and XXVII drop out during the race. How many participants finish the race?
CCXX participants finish the race.
Subtract the number of participants who drop out from the total number:
CCXLVII = 247
XXVII = 27
247 - 27 = 220
220 in Roman numerals is CCXX.
Convert the number of hours in a week to Roman numerals.
CLXVI hours.
There are 24 hours in a day and 7 days in a week:
24 × 7 = 168
168 in Roman numerals can be written as CLXVI.
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.