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 CDLXXXVIII.
Ancient Romans discovered that counting fingers could get very complicated after 10. So to overcome this 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. CDLXXXVIII in Roman numerals can be written in number form by adding the values of each Roman numeral, i.e., CDLXXXVIII = 488.
Let us learn more about the Roman numeral CDLXXXVIII, 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 larger symbol follows a smaller 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 CDLXXXVIII 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 is the breaking down of 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 the numerals together.
For CDLXXXVIII,
Step 1: First, we break the Roman numerals. CDLXXXVIII = CD + L + X + X + V + I + 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 X is 10 The Roman Numeral V is 5 The Roman Numeral I is 1
Step 3: Combine all the numbers CD + L + X + X + V + I + I + I = 400 + 50 + 10 + 10 + 5 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 488. Therefore, the Roman Numeral CDLXXXVIII is 488.
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 CDLXXXVIII.
Step 1: The larger Roman numerals are what we will begin with. Once split, the Roman numerals we get are CD, L, XX, and VIII. The numeral for CD is 400 The numeral for L is 50 The numeral for XX is 20
Step 2: Now we need to either add or subtract the smaller number, depending on its place.
Here we add VIII to CD + L + XX, and we will get CDLXXXVIII. The Roman numeral VIII is 8 Therefore, the numeral of CDLXXXVIII is 488.
Students can make mistakes when studying Roman numerals. Here are a few common mistakes students make and ways to avoid them.
If you multiply CDLXXXVIII by II, what is the product in Roman numerals?
The product is CMLXXVI
Convert CDLXXXVIII and II into their decimal form:
CDLXXXVIII = 488
II = 2
Multiply the numbers: 488 × 2 = 976
Convert 976 into Roman numerals: 900 (CM) + 70 (LXX) + 6 (VI) = CMLXXVI
What is the result of subtracting CXXIII from CDLXXXVIII? Write your answer in Roman numerals.
The result is CCCLXV
Convert the Roman numerals into decimal form:
CDLXXXVIII = 488
CXXIII = 123
Subtract the numbers: 488 - 123 = 365
Convert 365 into Roman numerals: 300 (CCC) + 60 (LX) + 5 (V) = CCCLXV
Divide CDLXXXVIII by IV and express the answer in Roman numerals.
CXXII
Convert CDLXXXVIII and IV into their decimal forms:
CDLXXXVIII = 488
IV = 4
Divide the numbers: 488 ÷ 4 = 122
Convert 122 into Roman numerals: 100 (C) + 20 (XX) + 2 (II) = CXXII
Add CDLXXXVIII and DLXII. What is the sum in Roman numerals?
ML
Convert both Roman numerals into their decimal forms:
CDLXXXVIII = 488
DLXII = 562
Add the numbers: 488 + 562 = 1050
Convert 1050 into Roman numerals: 1000 (M) + 50 (L) = ML
Convert CDLXXXVIII into its decimal form.
In decimal form, CDLXXXVIII is 488
Break CDLXXXVIII into components:
CD = 400 (500 - 100)
LXXX = 80 (50 + 30)
VIII = 8 (5 + 3)
Add values: 400 + 80 + 8 = 488
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.