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 MMXII to represent 2012. Here, M is 1000, another M is 1000, X is 10, 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 the smaller number is placed after the larger number. For example, XII → X + II → 10 + 2 = 12
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 large number. 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.
Let’s now learn how to write 2012 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 2012 in Roman numerals using the expansion method.
To write 2012 in Roman numerals, follow the steps,
Step 1: The number is broken based on the place value: thousands, hundreds, tens, and ones. For 2012, we write it as 2000 + 10 + 2
Step 2: Converting the number into Roman numerals
2000 in Roman Numerals — MM
10 in Roman Numerals X
2 in Roman Numerals — II
Step 3: Combining the Roman numerals together.
Therefore, 2012 in Roman numerals is MM (2000) + X (10) + II (2) = MMXII
When writing a large number into Roman numerals, we group the number.
To write 2012 in Roman numerals, we group 2012 as 2000 + 10 + 2
2000 in Roman Numerals — MM
10 in Roman Numerals — X
2 in Roman Numerals — II
So, 2012 is written as MMXII 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.
Calculate the sum of MCMXII and C.
The sum of MCMXII and C is MMXII.
In Roman numerals, MCMXII is 1912 and C is 100.
The sum of MCMXII and C is 1912 + 100 = 2012.
2012 in Roman Numerals is MMXII.
A historian has MMXII documents to archive across C sections. How many documents will go into each section?
Each section will contain XX documents.
To find the number of documents per section, divide the total number of documents by the number of sections.
MMXII = 2012
C = 100
2012 / 100 = 20
20 in Roman numerals is XX.
If a library received CD books in the year MMXII, how many books did it receive in total over two years?
The total number of books received over two years is MMCDXII.
In Roman numerals, CD is 400 and MMXII is 2012.
Adding the books received in two years: 2012 + 400 = 2412
2412 in Roman numerals is MMCDXII.
What is the difference between MMXII and DCCC?
The difference between MMXII and DCCC is MCCXII.
MMXII is 2012 and DCCC is 800 in Roman numerals.
Subtracting the two gives:
2012 - 800 = 1212
1212 in Roman numerals is MCCXII.
Express the sum of 1000 and MCMXII using Roman numerals.
The Roman numeral for the sum of 1000 and MCMXII is MMXII.
Step 1: Convert the numbers into Roman numerals.
1000 = M
MCMXII = 1912
Step 2: Add the numbers together: 1000 + 1912 = 2912
2912 in Roman numerals is MMXII.
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.