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 MCMXXXVII.
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. MCMXXXVII in Roman numerals can be written in number form by adding the values of each Roman numeral, i.e., MCMXXXVII = 1937.
Let us learn more about the Roman numeral MCMXXXVII, 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 MCMXXXVII 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 MCMXXXVII,
Step 1: First we break the Roman numerals. MCMXXXVII = M + CM + X + X + X + V + I + I
Step 2: Write the Roman Numerals for each part The Roman Numeral M is 1000 The Roman Numeral CM is 900 The Roman Numeral X is 10 The Roman Numeral V is 5 The Roman Numeral I is 1
Step 3: Combine all the numbers M + CM + X + X + X + V + I + I = 1000 + 900 + 10 + 10 + 10 + 5 + 1 + 1 = 1937. Therefore, the Roman Numeral MCMXXXVII is 1937.
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 MCMXXXVII.
Step 1: The larger Roman numerals are what we will begin with. Once split, the Roman numerals we get are M, CM, XXX, and VII. The numeral for M is 1000. 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 XXX and VII to M + CM, and we will get MCMXXXVII. The Roman numeral XXX is 30. The Roman numeral VII is 7. Therefore, the numeral of MCMXXXVII is 1937.
Students can make mistakes when studying Roman numerals. Here are a few common mistakes students make, and ways to avoid them.
Determine the year difference between MCMXXXVII and MCMLXXXIV. Write the result in Roman numerals.
The year difference is XLVII
Convert both Roman numerals into their decimal form:
MCMXXXVII = 1937
MCMLXXXIV = 1984
Now subtract the earlier year from the later year: 1984 - 1937 = 47
Convert 47 into Roman numerals: 47 = 40 + 7 = XL + VII = XLVII
If you subtract the year MCM from MCMXXXVII, what is the result in Roman numerals?
The result is CMXXXVII
Convert both Roman numerals into their decimal form:
MCMXXXVII = 1937
MCM = 1900
Subtract the years: 1937 - 1900 = 37
Convert 37 into Roman numerals: 37 = 30 + 7 = XXX + VII = XXXVII
Divide the year MCMXXXVII by IX and give the result in Roman numerals.
CCXV
Convert MCMXXXVII into its decimal form:
MCMXXXVII = 1937
Divide by 9: 1937 / 9 = 215
Convert 215 into Roman numerals: 215 = 200 + 10 + 5 = CC + X + V = CCXV
What is the product of MCMXXXVII and III? Write your answer in Roman numerals.
The product is DLXXXI
Convert MCMXXXVII and III into decimal form:
MCMXXXVII = 1937
III = 3
Multiply the numbers: 1937 × 3 = 5811
Convert 5811 into Roman numerals: 5811 = 5000 (MMMMM) + 800 (DCCC) + 10 (X) + 1 (I) = DLXXXI
Convert MCMXXXVII into its decimal form.
In decimal form, MCMXXXVII is 1937
Break MCMXXXVII into components:
MCM = 1000 + (1000 - 100) = 1900
XXX = 30 (10 + 10 + 10)
VII = 7 (5 + 1 + 1)
Add values: 1900 + 30 + 7 = 1937
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.