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Last updated on February 23rd, 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 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. The symbols used in this system are I (1), V (5), X (10), L (50), C (100), D (500), and M (1000). In Roman Numerals, we use CDXC to represent 490, where CD is 400 and XC is 90.
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. For example, VI → V + I → 5 + 1 = 6.
To write a large number, certain Roman Numerals can be repeated up to three times. III → 3.
If a small number precedes 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 DD for 1000; instead, we use M, and 8 is written as VIII, not IIIIIIII.
Let’s now learn how to write 490 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 490 in Roman numerals using the expansion method. To write 490 in Roman Numerals, follow these steps:
Step 1: Break the number based on place value, which is ones, tens, hundreds, etc. For 490, we write it as 400 + 90.
Step 2: Convert each number into Roman Numerals.
Step 3: Combine the Roman Numerals. Therefore, 490 in Roman Numerals is CD (400) + XC (90) = CDXC.
When writing a large number in Roman Numerals, we group the numbers. To write 490 in Roman Numerals, we group 490 as 400 + 90.
So, 490 is written as CDXC in Roman Numerals.
A historian found a manuscript stating that a Roman general had CDLXXX soldiers in one battalion and needed to recruit additional soldiers to reach D. How many more soldiers does he need to recruit?
During a reenactment, a Roman legion was divided into XLIX groups, each containing X soldiers. Calculate the total number of soldiers.
An ancient Roman scroll described a feast where CDLXXX guests were served by LXXX servants. Determine the ratio of guests to servants in simplest form.
A Roman engineer designed an aqueduct to transport water across CDLXXX meters. After completion, it was extended by X meters. What is the total length of the aqueduct now?
Write the Roman numeral for the number 490 by expressing it as the sum of its components.
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.