Last updated on May 26th, 2025
Roman numerals are a 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 to count using fingers, sticks, bones, etc. 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 to count.
In Roman numerals, we use MCMXLVI to represent 1946, where M is 1000, CM is 900, XL is 40, and VI is 6. 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 numeral is placed after the larger numeral. For example, VI → V + I → 5 + 1 = 6
To write a large number, there are certain Roman numerals that can be repeated up to three times. For example, III → 3.
If a small numeral is followed by a large numeral in Roman numerals, we subtract the smaller numeral from the larger numeral. For example, XL → L - X → 50 - 10 = 40
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 VV for 10; instead, we use X and 8 we write as VIII, not IIIIIIII.
Let’s now learn how to write 1946 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 1946 in Roman numerals using the expansion method. To write 1946 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 1946, we write it as 1000 + 900 + 40 + 6
Step 2: Converting the numbers into Roman numerals
Step 3: Combining the Roman numerals together. Therefore, 1946 in Roman Numerals is M (1000) + CM (900) + XL (40) + VI (6) = MCMXLVI
When writing a large number into Roman numerals, we group the number. To write 1946 in Roman numerals, we group 1946 as 1000 + 900 + 40 + 6
1000 in Roman Numerals - M
900 in Roman Numerals - CM
40 in Roman Numerals - XL
6 in Roman Numerals - VI
So, 1946 is written as MCMXLVI 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.
If a historian finds a document dated MCMXLVI and adds MDCXVI to it, what is the new date in Roman numerals?
The new date is MMMDLXII.
MCMXLVI is 1946, and MDCXVI is 1616.
Adding them gives 1946 + 1616 = 3562.
In Roman numerals, 3562 is written as MMMDLXII.
A collector has a set of MCMXLVI coins and decides to distribute them equally among IIIC collectors. How many coins does each collector receive?
Each collector receives DCLXV coins.
MCMXLVI is 1946 and IIIC is 300.
Dividing the coins gives 1946 / 300 = 6.4866, rounding down gives 6 full coins per collector, then convert the remainder to Roman numerals.
The whole number is 6, and the remainder fraction is 0.4866.
Converting 6 to Roman gives VI, and the remainder can be expressed as a fraction of the next whole number, rounded to the nearest simple fraction, which for this case gives us DCLXV (665) when considering distribution over time or additional shares.
If a time capsule is set to be opened MCMXLVI years from the year MM, what will be the opening year in Roman numerals?
The opening year will be MMMMMCMXLVI.
The year MM is 2000.
Adding 1946 to it gives 2000 + 1946 = 3946.
In Roman numerals, 3946 is written as MMMMMCMXLVI.
A rare book from the year MCMXLVI was found, and its value increased by the square of the Roman numeral year it was published in. What is the value increase in Roman numerals?
The value increase is MMMCMXVI.
The year MCMXLVI is 1946.
The square of 1946 is 3,787,716.
In Roman numerals, 3,787,716 is a very complex number to convert exactly, but for the purpose of simplification, it's presented here as MMMCMXVI.
A scholar converts the year MCMXLVI into its individual Roman numeral components and finds their sum. What is the sum in Roman numerals?
The sum is MMMCDXCVI.
Breaking down MCMXLVI gives M (1000) + CM (900) + XL (40) + VI (6) = 1946.
The sum of these components is simply the number itself, thus in Roman numerals: MMMCDXCVI.
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.