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Last updated on February 23rd, 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.
Royal titles, such as Henry I, Henry II, and so on, use Roman numerals. Have you noticed these names and wondered what these symbols (I and II) represented? Those are Roman numerals. Early people used fingers, sticks, bones, etc., to count. As life became more complex, a standard form was required for counting.
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 CDXCIII to represent 493, where CD is 400, XC is 90, and III is 3.
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, then it is the addition method. For example, VI → V + I → 5 + 1 = 6
To write larger numbers, certain Roman numerals can be repeated up to three times. III → 3.
If a smaller number precedes a larger number in Roman numerals, we subtract the smaller number from the larger number. This is the subtraction method. For example, XL → L - X → 50 - 10 = 40
Symbols cannot be repeated more than three times, and some symbols like V, L, and D cannot be repeated. For example, we don't write VV for 10; instead, we use X. Similarly, 8 is written as VIII, not IIIIIIII.
Let’s now learn how to write 493 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 493 in Roman numerals using the expansion method. To write 493 in Roman numerals, follow these steps:
Step 1: Break the number based on place value: ones, tens, hundreds, etc. For 493, we write it as 400 + 90 + 3
Step 2: Convert the number into Roman numerals
Step 3: Combine the Roman numerals together. Therefore, 493 in Roman numerals is CD (400) + XC (90) + III (3) = CDXCIII
When writing a large number in Roman numerals, we group the number. To write 493 in Roman numerals, we group 493 as 400 + 90 + 3
So, 493 is written as CDXCIII in Roman numerals.
Convert the year when the ancient city of Pompeii was buried in volcanic ash to Roman numerals.
A historian found CDXCIII ancient coins and wants to distribute them equally among XIII museums. How many coins will each museum receive?
Calculate the total when CCCXLV and CDXCIII are donated to the local historical society.
What is the difference between the ancient texts numbered DXII and CDXCIII?
Express the sum of CDXC and III in Roman numerals using the expansion method.
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.