Last updated on May 26th, 2025
To meet their daily commerce and administration needs, the ancient Romans developed Roman Numerals. It used a combination of seven symbols — I, V, X, L, C, D, and M to represent numbers. Roman numerals were used to record transactions, keep track of data, and label military units. In this topic, we are going to learn about the Roman numeral CDLVII.
Ancient Romans discovered that counting fingers could get very complicated after 10. To overcome the complexity, the Roman numeric system was developed. This was widely used throughout Europe as a standard writing system until the late Middle Ages.
Seven symbols are used to represent numbers in the Roman numeric system — I, V, X, L, C, D, and M. The numerals are made up of different combinations of these symbols. CDLVII in Roman numerals can be written in number form by adding and subtracting the values of each Roman numeral, i.e., CDLVII = 457.
Let us learn more about the Roman numeral CDLVII, how we write them, the mistakes we usually make, and ways to avoid these mistakes.
When writing Roman numerals, there are a few rules that we need to follow based on the Roman numerals we are trying to write. In this section, we will learn about the rules when writing Roman numerals and how to represent them.
When a larger symbol is followed by a smaller symbol, we add the numerals to each other. For example, in VIII, we have 5 + 3 = 8.
A symbol that is repeated three times in continuation increases the value of the numeral. For example, XXX = 30.
We use the subtraction method when a smaller symbol precedes a larger symbol. For example, XL = 40 (which is 50 – 10).
Symbols cannot be repeated more than three times, and some symbols, such as V, L, and D, cannot be repeated more than once. For example, 10 is represented as X and not VV.
Let us learn about how to write CDLVII in Roman numerals. There are two methods that we can use to write Roman numerals:
The breaking down of Roman numerals into parts and then converting them into numerals is what we call the expansion method. The expansion method involves breaking down Roman numerals into numerical form and adding them to get the final number.
Step 1: Break the Roman numerals into parts.
Step 2: Now write each of the Roman numerals with its numerical digit in the place value.
Step 3: Add or subtract the numerals together.
For CDLVII,
Step 1: First, we break the Roman numerals. CDLVII = CD + L + V + I + I
Step 2: Write the Roman Numerals for each part The Roman Numeral CD is 400 The Roman Numeral L is 50 The Roman Numeral V is 5 The Roman Numeral I is 1
Step 3: Combine all the numbers CD + L + V + I + I = 400 + 50 + 5 + 1 + 1 = 457. Therefore, the Roman Numeral CDLVII is 457.
Using subtraction and addition rules, we will apply the grouping method. This means we break the Roman numerals into smaller groups, which makes it easier to work with. This method groups the Roman numerals logically, and then we write the numbers for each group.
Step 1: Take the largest number and write the number for that Roman numeral.
Step 2: Write the Roman numeral using the subtraction and addition rules.
Example: Let’s take the Roman numeral CDLVII.
Step 1: The larger Roman numerals are what we will begin with. Once split, the Roman numerals we get are CD, L, V, and II. The numeral for CD is 400.
Step 2: Now we need to either add or subtract the smaller number, depending on its place. Here we add L (50), V (5), and II (2) to CD and we will get CDLVII. The Roman numeral L is 50, the Roman numeral V is 5, and the Roman numeral II is 2. Therefore, the numeral of CDLVII is 457.
Students can make mistakes when studying Roman numerals. Here are a few common mistakes students make, and ways to avoid them.
If you add CDLVII and CIII, what is the sum in Roman numerals?
The sum is DLX
Convert both Roman numerals into their decimal form:
CDLVII = 457
CIII = 103
Add the numbers: 457 + 103 = 560
Convert 560 into Roman numerals: 500 (D) + 50 (L) + 10 (X) = DLX
What is the result of subtracting CLVII from CDLVII? Write the answer in Roman numerals.
The result is CCC
Convert the Roman numerals into their decimal form:
CDLVII = 457
CLVII = 157
Subtract the numbers: 457 - 157 = 300
Convert 300 into Roman numerals: 300 = CCC
Divide CDLVII by 7 and express the answer in Roman numerals.
LXV
Convert CDLVII into its decimal form:
CDLVII = 457
Divide by 7: 457 / 7 = 65
Convert 65 into Roman numerals: 50 (L) + 10 (X) + 5 (V) = LXV
Find the product of CDLVII and II.
The product is CMXIV
Write CDLVII and II in numbers:
CDLVII = 457
II = 2
Multiply the numbers: 457 × 2 = 914
Convert 914 into Roman numerals: 900 (CM) + 10 (X) + 4 (IV) = CMXIV
Convert CDLVII into its decimal form.
In decimal form, CDLVII is 457
Break CDLVII into components:
CD = 400 (500 - 100)
L = 50
VII = 7 (5 + 1 + 1)
Add values: 400 + 50 + 7 = 457
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.