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 MCXXV.
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. MCXXV in Roman numerals can be written in number form by adding the values of each Roman numeral, i.e., MCXXV = 1125.
Let us learn more about the Roman numeral MCXXV, 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 XII, we have 10 + 2 = 12.
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 MCXXV 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: Now write each of the Roman numerals with its numerical digit in the place value.
Step 3: Add the numerals together.
For MCXXV,
Step 1: First, we break the Roman numerals. MCXXV = M + C + X + X + V
Step 2: Write the Roman Numerals for each part The Roman Numeral M is 1000 The Roman Numeral C is 100 The Roman Numeral X is 10 The Roman Numeral V is 5
Step 3: Combine all the numbers M + C + X + X + V = 1000 + 100 + 10 + 10 + 5 = 1125. Therefore, the Roman Numeral MCXXV is 1125.
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 MCXXV.
Step 1: The larger Roman numerals are what we will begin with. Once split, the Roman numerals we get are M, C, XX, and V. The numeral for M is 1000. The numeral for C is 100. The numeral for XX is 20.
Step 2: Now we need to either add or subtract the smaller number, depending on its place. Here we add C, XX, and V to M, and we will get MCXXV. The Roman numeral V is 5. Therefore, the numeral of MCXXV is 1125.
Students can make mistakes when studying Roman numerals. Here are a few common mistakes students make, and ways to avoid them.
If a Roman scribe writes MCXXV and then adds CC, what is the resulting numeral?
The resulting numeral is MCCCXXV
Convert the Roman numerals into their decimal forms:
MCXXV = 1125
CC = 200
Add the numbers:
1125 + 200 = 1325
Convert 1325 back into Roman numerals:
1000 (M) + 300 (CCC) + 20 (XX) + 5 (V) = MCCCXXV
A historian finds a document marked MCXXV and another marked DCCC. What is the difference in their values in Roman numerals?
The difference is CCCXXV
Convert the Roman numerals into their decimal forms:
MCXXV = 1125
DCCC = 800
Subtract the numbers:
1125 - 800 = 325
Convert 325 into Roman numerals:
300 (CCC) + 20 (XX) + 5 (V) = CCCXXV
A Roman merchant splits his goods labeled MCXXV into five equal parts. What is the value of each part in Roman numerals?
CCXXV
Convert MCXXV into its decimal form:
MCXXV = 1125
Divide by 5:
1125 / 5 = 225
Convert 225 into Roman numerals:
200 (CC) + 20 (XX) + 5 (V) = CCXXV
Determine the product of MCXXV and III.
The product is CCCCLXXV
Convert MCXXV and III into numbers:
MCXXV = 1125
III = 3
Multiply the numbers:
1125 × 3 = 3375
Convert 3375 into Roman numerals:
3000 (MMM) + 300 (CCC) + 70 (LXX) + 5 (V) = MMMCCCLXXV
Convert MCXXV into its decimal form.
In decimal form, MCXXV is 1125
Break MCXXV into components:
M = 1000
CXX = 120 (C + X + X)
V = 5
Add the values:
1000 + 120 + 5 = 1125
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.