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Last updated on March 3rd, 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 CV.
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. CV in Roman numerals can be written in number form by adding the values of each Roman numeral, i.e., CV = 105.
Let us learn more about the Roman numeral CV, 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 VI, we have 5 + 1 = 6.
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 CV 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 CV,
Step 1: First, we break the Roman numerals. CV = C + V
Step 2: Write the Roman Numerals for each part The Roman Numeral C is 100 The Roman Numeral V is 5
Step 3: Combine all the numbers C + V = 100 + 5 = 105 Therefore, the Roman Numeral CV is 105.
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 CV.
Step 1: The larger Roman numerals are what we will begin with. Once split, the Roman numerals we get are C and V. The numeral for C is 100.
Step 2: Now, we need to either add or subtract the smaller number, depending on its place.
Here we add V to C, and we will get CV. The Roman numeral V is 5. Therefore, the numeral of CV is 105.
Students can make mistakes when studying Roman numerals. Here are a few common mistakes students make, and ways to avoid them.
A historian finds an ancient document stating that CV soldiers were stationed at one outpost and CL soldiers at another. What is the total number of soldiers, expressed in Roman numerals?
The total number of soldiers is CCLV
Convert the Roman numerals into decimal form:
CV = 105
CL = 150
Add the two numbers: 105 + 150 = 255
Convert 255 into Roman numerals: 255 = 200 (CC) + 50 (L) + 5 (V) = CCLV
An artifact is dated to the year CV. How many years ago was that from the year MMXXIII? Provide your answer in Roman numerals.
The artifact is MCMXVIII years old.
Convert the Roman numerals to decimal form:
CV = 105
MMXXIII = 2023
Subtract the years: 2023 - 105 = 1918
Convert 1918 into Roman numerals: 1918 = 1000 (M) + 900 (CM) + 10 (X) + 8 (VIII) = MCMXVIII
A library has CV manuscripts and decides to distribute them equally among V scholars. How many manuscripts does each scholar receive? Provide your answer in Roman numerals.
Each scholar receives XXI manuscripts.
Convert CV to decimal form:
CV = 105
Divide by 5: 105 / 5 = 21
Convert 21 into Roman numerals: 21 = 20 (XX) + 1 (I) = XXI
If you start with a quantity of CV and triple it, what is the result in Roman numerals?
The result is CCCXV.
Convert CV to decimal form:
CV = 105
Triple the amount: 105 × 3 = 315
Convert 315 into Roman numerals: 315 = 300 (CCC) + 10 (X) + 5 (V) = CCCXV
Convert CV into its decimal form.
In decimal form, CV is 105.
Break CV into components:
C = 100
V = 5
Add values: 100 + 5 = 105
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.