Last updated on May 26th, 2025
Roman numerals are the way of expressing numbers using symbols. I, V, X, L, C, D, and M are the symbols we use. Roman Numerals are used in royal titles, book names, sequences, and so on. Here we will be discussing Roman Numerals, rules, and examples.
The royal titles, such as Henry I, Henry II, and so on. Have you noticed the names and wondered what these symbols (I and II) represented? Those are the Roman Numerals. Earlier people used fingers, sticks, bones, etc., to count. When life became complex, a standard form was required to count.
Ancient Romans used the Roman Numeral system to count. I (1), V (5), X (10), L (50), C (100), D (500), and M (1000) are the symbols we use. In Roman Numerals, we use MCC to represent 1200. Here, M is 1000, and CC is 200.
Let’s learn more about Roman numerals and how we write them.
There are certain basic rules to write a number in Roman Numerals. In this section, let’s discuss some basic rules that need to be remembered when writing a number in Roman numerals.
The addition method is used when the smaller number is placed after the larger number, then it is the addition method. For example, MCC → M + CC → 1000 + 200 = 1200.
To write a large number, there are certain Roman Numerals that can be repeated up to three times. For example, CCC → 300.
If a small number is followed by a large number in Roman Numerals, we subtract the smaller number from the larger number. This is the subtraction method. For example, CD → D - C → 500 - 100 = 400.
The symbols cannot be repeated more than three times and some symbols like V, L, and D cannot be repeated. For example, we won't write DD for 1000 instead we use M.
Let’s now learn how to write 1200 in Roman Numerals. Follow these methods to write the number in Roman Numerals.
In the expansion method, based on the place value, the number is broken down. In this section, we will learn how to write 1200 in Roman numerals using the expansion method. To write 1200 in Roman Numerals, follow the steps,
Step 1: The number is broken based on the place value. Place values are ones, tens, hundreds, etc. For 1200, we write it as 1000 + 200.
Step 2: Converting the number into Roman Numerals.
Step 3: Combining the Roman Numerals together. Therefore, 1200 in Roman Numerals is M (1000) + CC (200) = MCC.
When writing a large number into Roman Numerals, we group the number. To write 1200 in Roman Numeral, we group 1200 as 1000 + 200.
So, 1200 is written as MCC in Roman Numerals.
Students make mistakes when writing a number in Roman Numerals. To master Roman Numerals, we can learn a few common mistakes and the ways to avoid them.
A historian is deciphering an ancient manuscript and finds a reference to a battle that took place in MCC and another event in DCCC. How many years apart were these events?
The events were 400 years apart.
MCC represents 1200 and DCCC represents 800. The difference between these years is calculated as: 1200 - 800 = 400. Therefore, the events were 400 years apart.
A collector has MCC coins and wants to distribute them evenly into X groups. How many coins will each group receive?
Each group will receive CXX coins.
To find the number of coins each group receives, divide the total number of coins by the number of groups:
MCC / X = 1200 / 10 = 120.
120 in Roman numerals is CXX.
Find the sum of CMX and CCCXCI and express the result in Roman numerals.
The sum of CMX and CCCXCI is MCCCI.
Convert CMX and CCCXCI to Arabic numerals:
CMX = 910
CCCXCI = 391
The sum is 910 + 391 = 1301.
1301 in Roman numerals is MCCCI.
An ancient scroll mentions two harvests, with the first yielding MCC bushels and the second yielding CLX bushels. What is the combined total yield?
The combined total yield is MCCCLX bushels.
First, convert the yields to Arabic numerals:
MCC = 1200
CLX = 160
The combined total is 1200 + 160 = 1360.
1360 in Roman numerals is MCCCLX.
Write the Roman numeral for 1200 - 75 using the subtraction method.
The Roman numeral for 1200 - 75 is MCXXV.
First, convert the numbers to Arabic numerals: 1200 - 75 = 1125. Using subtraction method: 1125 = 1000 + 100 + 20 + 5 = MCXXV.
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.