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 more. Here we will be discussing Roman Numerals, rules, and examples.
Royal titles, such as Henry I, Henry II, and so on. Have you noticed these names and wondered what symbols like I and II represented? Those are the Roman Numerals.
In ancient times, people used fingers, sticks, bones, etc., to count. As life became more 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 MCMLXXII to represent 1972, where M is 1000, CM is 900, L is 50, XX is 20, and II is 2. 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 a smaller number is placed after a larger number, indicating addition. For example, XII → X + I + I → 10 + 1 + 1 = 12
To write a larger number, certain Roman Numerals can be repeated up to three times. For example, XXX → 30.
When a smaller number precedes a larger number in Roman Numerals, we subtract the smaller number from the larger one. For example, IV → V - I → 5 - 1 = 4
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.
Let’s now learn how to write 1972 in Roman Numerals. Follow these methods to write the number in Roman Numerals.
In the expansion method, numbers are broken down based on place value. In this section, we will learn how to write 1972 in Roman numerals using the expansion method. To write 1972 in Roman Numerals, follow these steps:
Step 1: Break the number based on place value, such as ones, tens, hundreds, etc. For 1972, we write it as 1000 + 900 + 70 + 2
Step 2: Convert each number into Roman Numerals
Step 3: Combine the Roman Numerals together. Therefore, 1972 in Roman Numeral is M (1000) + CM (900) + LXX (70) + II (2) = MCMLXXII
When writing a large number into Roman Numerals, we group the number. To write 1972 in Roman Numerals, we group 1972 as 1000 + 900 + 70 + 2
So, 1972 is written as MCMLXXII in Roman Numerals.
Students make mistakes when writing numbers in Roman Numerals. To master Roman Numerals, we can learn a few common mistakes and ways to avoid them.
Determine the year when an artifact dated MCMLXXII was discovered if it was found 50 years after it was made.
The artifact was discovered in the year 2022.
MCMLXXII represents the year 1972 in Roman numerals.
If the artifact was found 50 years later, we add 50 to 1972: 1972 + 50 = 2022.
Therefore, the artifact was discovered in 2022.
A library received a donation of MCMXX books, and it increased its collection to MCMLXXII. How many books did the library initially have?
The library initially had MCMXX books.
The total number of books after the donation is MCMLXXII, which is 1972 in numbers.
The donation added MCMXX books, which is 1920 in numbers.
To find the initial number of books, we subtract the donation from the total: 1972 - 1920 = 52. The library initially had 52 books, which in Roman numerals is LII.
A historian has documents dated MCMXLV and MCMLXXII. Determine the gap in years between these documents.
The gap between the documents is XXVII years.
MCMXLV is 1945 in numbers, and MCMLXXII is 1972.
To find the gap, we subtract the earlier year from the later year: 1972 - 1945 = 27.
In Roman numerals, 27 is XXVII.
What is the Roman numeral for the sum of the years 1950 and 22?
The Roman numeral for the sum is MCMLXXII.
First, add the years: 1950 + 22 = 1972.
The Roman numeral for 1972 is MCMLXXII.
Convert the subtraction of the year MCMLX and the number LXXXVIII to Roman numerals.
The result of the subtraction is MCMXXII.
MCMLX is 1960 in numbers, and LXXXVIII is 88.
To find the result, subtract 88 from 1960: 1960 - 88 = 1872.
The Roman numeral for 1872 is MDCCCLXXII.
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.