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 MDCCXLIII.
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. MDCCXLIII in Roman numerals can be written in number form by adding the values of each Roman numeral, i.e. MDCCXLIII = 1743.
Let us learn more about the Roman numeral MDCCXLIII, 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 MDCCXLIII 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 MDCCXLIII,
Step 1: First we break the Roman numerals. MDCCXLIII = M + D + C + C + XL + I + I + I
Step 2: Write the Roman Numerals for each part The Roman Numeral M is 1000 The Roman Numeral D is 500 The Roman Numeral C is 100 The Roman Numeral XL is 40 The Roman Numeral I is 1
Step 3: Combine all the numbers M + D + C + C + XL + I + I + I = 1000 + 500 + 100 + 100 + 40 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 1743. Therefore, the Roman Numeral MDCCXLIII is 1743.
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 MDCCXLIII.
Step 1: The larger Roman numerals are what we will begin with. Once split, the Roman numerals we get are M, D, CC, XL, and III. The numeral for M is 1000 The numeral for D is 500 The numeral for CC is 200
Step 2: Now we need to either add or subtract the smaller number, depending on its place.
Here we add CC, XL, and III to M and D, and we will get MDCCXLIII. The numeral for XL is 40 The numeral for III is 3 Therefore, the numeral of MDCCXLIII is 1743.
Students can make mistakes when studying Roman numerals. Here are a few common mistakes students make, and ways to avoid them.
What is the sum of MDCCXLIII and DCCC? Write the answer in Roman numerals.
The sum is MMDXLIII
Convert both Roman numerals into decimal form:
MDCCXLIII = 1743
DCCC = 800
Now add both numbers: 1743 + 800 = 2543
Convert the number into a Roman numeral: 2543 = 2000 (MM) + 500 (D) + 40 (XL) + 3 (III) = MMDXLIII
Determine the difference between MM - MDCCXLIII. Write the result in Roman numerals.
The difference is CCLVII
Convert the Roman numerals into decimal form:
MM = 2000
MDCCXLIII = 1743
Subtract the numbers: 2000 - 1743 = 257
Convert the number into a Roman numeral: 257 = 200 (CC) + 50 (L) + 7 (VII) = CCLVII
Divide MDCCXLIII by 3 and express the answer in Roman numerals.
DLVIII
Convert MDCCXLIII into decimal form:
MDCCXLIII = 1743
Divide by 3: 1743 / 3 = 581
Convert 581 into Roman numerals: 581 = 500 (D) + 50 (L) + 30 (XXX) + 1 (I) = DLXXXI
Find the product of MDCCXLIII and IV.
The product is DCXCLXXII
Write MDCCXLIII and IV in numbers:
MDCCXLIII = 1743
IV = 4
Multiply the numbers: 1743 × 4 = 6972
Convert 6972 into Roman numerals: 6000 (MMMMMM) + 900 (CM) + 70 (LXX) + 2 (II) = MMMMMDCCCCLXXII
Convert MDCCXLIII into its decimal form.
In decimal form, MDCCXLIII is 1743
Break MDCCXLIII into components:
M = 1000
D = 500
CC = 200 (C + C)
XL = 40
III = 3
Add values: 1000 + 500 + 200 + 40 + 3 = 1743
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.