Table Of Contents
Last updated on February 24th, 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.
The royal titles, such as Henry I, Henry II, and so on, often use Roman Numerals. Have you noticed the names and wondered what these symbols (I and II) represented? Those are the Roman Numerals.
Earlier, people used fingers, sticks, bones, etc., to count. 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 LXXII to represent 72, where L is 50, X is 10, X is another 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.
Rule 1: Addition Method
The addition method is used when the smaller number is placed after the larger number. For example, LXXII → L + X + X + I + I → 50 + 10 + 10 + 1 + 1 = 72.
Rule 2: Repetition Method
To write a larger number, certain Roman Numerals can be repeated up to three times. For example, XX → 20.
Rule 3: Subtraction Method
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.
Rule 4: Limitation Rule
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 is written as VIII, not IIIIIIII.
Let’s now learn how to write 72 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 72 in Roman numerals using the expansion method.
To write 72 in Roman Numerals, follow these steps:
Step 1: Break the number based on place value. Place values include ones, tens, hundreds, etc.
For 72, we write it as 50 + 10 + 10 + 2.
Step 2: Convert the numbers into Roman Numerals:
50 in Roman Numerals — L
10 in Roman Numerals — X
2 in Roman Numerals — II
Step 3: Combine them together:
Therefore, 72 in Roman Numerals is L (50) + X (10) + X (10) + II (2) = LXXII.
When writing a large number into Roman Numerals, we group the numbers. To write 72 in Roman Numerals, we group 72 as 50 + 10 + 10 + 2:
50 in Roman Numerals — L
10 in Roman Numerals — X
2 in Roman Numerals — II
So, 72 is written as LXXII in Roman Numerals.
A historian is examining an ancient scroll that mentions a battle where LXII and X soldiers were involved. Calculate the total number of soldiers.
A library contains a total of CCCLXXXVI scrolls, which need to be divided equally among VI shelves. How many scrolls will each shelf contain?
A mathematician is analyzing a sequence of numbers: XLV, XXVII, and wants the total sum. What is the result in Roman Numerals?
In a puzzle game, a player needs to find the difference between LXXXIV and XII. What is the result?
Write the Roman Numeral for 35 + 37 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.