Last updated on May 26th, 2025
To meet their daily commerce and administration needs, the ancient Romans developed Roman Numerals. It 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 CXCvii.
Ancient Romans discovered that counting fingers could get very complicated after 10. So to overcome the 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 are used to represent numbers in the Roman numeric system — I, V, X, L, C, D, and M. The numerals are made up of different combinations of these symbols. CXCvii in Roman numerals can be written in number form by adding the values of each Roman numeral, i.e. CXCvii = 197.
Let us learn more about the Roman numeral CXCvii, how we write them, 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 Roman 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 value of the numeral. 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 about how to write CXCvii 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 is the breaking down of Roman numerals into numerical form and adding them to get the final number.
Step 1: Break the Roman numerals into parts.
Step 2: Now write each of the Roman numerals with its numerical digit in the place value.
Step 3: Add the numerals together.
For CXCvii,
Step 1: First we break the Roman numerals. CXCvii = C + XC + V + I + I
Step 2: Write the Roman Numerals for each part
The Roman Numeral C is 100
The Roman Numeral XC is 90
The Roman Numeral V is 5
The Roman Numeral I is 1
Step 3: Combine all the numbers C + XC + V + I + I = 100 + 90 + 5 + 1 + 1 = 197. Therefore, the Roman Numeral CXCvii is 197.
Using subtraction and addition rules, we will apply the grouping method. This means we break the Roman numerals into smaller groups, which makes 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 CXCvii.
Step 1: The larger Roman numerals are what we will begin with. Once split, the Roman numerals we get are C and XC and vii. The numeral for C is 100 The numeral for XC is 90 The numeral for vii is 7
Step 2: Now we need to either add or subtract the smaller number, depending on its place. Here we add XC and vii to C and we will get CXCvii. The Roman numeral vii is 7 Therefore, the numeral of CXCvii is 197.
Students can make mistakes when studying Roman numerals. Here are a few common mistakes students make, and ways to avoid them.
If a Roman soldier receives CXCVI gold coins and gives away XLII coins, how many coins does he have left? Write the answer in Roman numerals.
The soldier has CLIV coins left.
Convert both Roman numerals into their decimal form:
CXCVI = 196
XLII = 42
Now subtract the numbers: 196 - 42 = 154
Convert 154 into its Roman numeral: 154 = 100 (C) + 50 (L) + 4 (IV) = CLIV
A Roman architect designed two columns with heights of CXCVI and LXXIII units. What is the total height of the columns? Write the answer in Roman numerals.
The total height is CCLXIX.
Convert the Roman numerals into their decimal form:
CXCVI = 196
LXXIII = 73
Add the numbers: 196 + 73 = 269
Convert 269 into its Roman numeral: 269 = 200 (CC) + 60 (LX) + 9 (IX) = CCLXIX
A merchant had CXCVI barrels of wine. He sold half of them. How many barrels does he have left? Write the answer in Roman numerals.
The merchant has XCVIII barrels left.
Convert CXCVI into its decimal form:
CXCVI = 196
Divide by 2: 196 / 2 = 98
Write 98 in Roman numerals: 98 = 90 (XC) + 8 (VIII) = XCVIII
A historian found an ancient document mentioning a fleet of CXCVI ships. If each ship had L sailors, how many sailors were there in total? Write the answer in Roman numerals.
There were IXDCCC sailors in total.
Convert CXCVI and L into decimal form:
CXCVI = 196
L = 50
Multiply the numbers: 196 × 50 = 9800
Convert 9800 into its Roman numerals: 9000 (IX) + 800 (DCCC) = IXDCCC
Convert CXCVI into its decimal form.
In decimal form, CXCVI is 196.
Break CXCVI into components:
C = 100
XC = 90
VI = 6
Add the values: 100 + 90 + 6 = 196
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.