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., to count earlier. 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 MCMXCIV to represent 1994, here M is 1000, CM is 900, XC is 90, and IV is 4. 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. For example, VI → V + I → 5 + 1 = 6.
To write a large number, there are certain Roman Numerals that can be repeated three times. III → 3.
If a small number is followed by a large number in Roman Numerals, we subtract the smaller number from the large number. For example, IX → X - I → 10 - 1 = 9.
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 1994 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 1994 in Roman numerals using the expansion method.
To write 1994 in Roman Numerals, follow the steps:
Step 1: The number is broken down based on the place value: ones, tens, hundreds, etc.
For 1994, we write it as 1000 + 900 + 90 + 4.
Step 2: Converting the number into Roman Numerals:
1000 in Roman Numerals — M
900 in Roman Numerals — CM
90 in Roman Numerals — XC
4 in Roman Numerals — IV
Step 3: Combining them Roman Numerals together.
Therefore, 1994 in Roman Numerals is M (1000) + CM (900) + XC (90) + IV (4) = MCMXCIV.
When writing a large number into Roman Numerals, we group the number.
To write 1994 in Roman Numerals, we group 1994 as 1000 + 900 + 90 + 4.
1000 in Roman Numerals — M
900 in Roman Numerals — CM
90 in Roman Numerals — XC
4 in Roman Numerals — IV
So, 1994 is written as MCMXCIV 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 finds a manuscript dated with MCMXCIV. What year is the manuscript from?
The manuscript is from the year 1994.
MCMXCIV is a Roman numeral where M = 1000, CM = 900, XC = 90, and IV = 4.
Adding these values gives 1000 + 900 + 90 + 4 = 1994.
Therefore, the manuscript is from the year 1994.
An artist creates a series of paintings titled with Roman numerals from M to MCMXCIV. How many paintings are in the series?
There are 995 paintings in the series.
The series starts at M (1000) and ends at MCMXCIV (1994).
To find the number of paintings, calculate the difference:
1994 - 1000 + 1 = 995 paintings.
A mathematician discovers an old clock tower where the time is represented as MCMXCIV. What is the equivalent decimal number for this time?
The equivalent decimal number is 1994.
MCMXCIV is a Roman numeral representation where M = 1000, CM = 900, XC = 90, and IV = 4.
Summing these gives 1000 + 900 + 90 + 4 = 1994.
A teacher asks students to find the difference between MCMXCIV and MD. What is the difference in Roman numerals?
The difference is CDXCIV.
MCMXCIV = 1994 and MD = 1500.
The difference is 1994 - 1500 = 494.
In Roman numerals, 494 is CDXCIV.
Write the Roman numeral for the sum of MDCCCXLIV and CL in the expansion method.
The Roman numeral for the sum is MCMXCIV.
First, convert the numbers to Roman numerals:
MDCCCXLIV = 1844 and CL = 150.
Add the numbers: 1844 + 150 = 1994.
Using the expansion method: 1994 = 1000 + 900 + 90 + 4, which is MCMXCIV.
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.