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 CMLXXXIII.
Ancient Romans discovered that counting fingers could get very complicated after 10. So 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. CMLXXXIII in Roman numerals can be written in number form by adding the values of each Roman numeral, i.e. CMLXXXIII = 983.
Let us learn more about the Roman numeral CMLXXXIII, 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 CMLXXXIII 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 CMLXXXIII,
Step 1: First we break the Roman numerals. CMLXXXIII = CM + L + X + X + X + I + I + I
Step 2: Write the Roman Numerals for each part The Roman Numeral CM is 900 The Roman Numeral L is 50 The Roman Numeral X is 10 The Roman Numeral I is 1
Step 3: Combine all the numbers CM + L + X + X + X + I + I + I = 900 + 50 + 10 + 10 + 10 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 983. Therefore, the Roman Numeral CMLXXXIII is 983.
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 CMLXXXIII.
Step 1: The larger Roman numerals are what we will begin with. Once split, the Roman numerals we get are CM, LXXX, and III. The numeral for CM is 900
Step 2: Now we need to either add or subtract the smaller number, depending on its place. Here we add LXXX to CM and III to LXXX and we will get CMLXXXIII. The numeral for LXXX is 80 The numeral for III is 3 Therefore, the numeral of CMLXXXIII is 983.
Students can make mistakes when studying Roman numerals. Here are a few common mistakes students make, and ways to avoid them.
A historian finds an ancient scroll with the number CMLXXXIII written on it. She needs to calculate how many years have passed since the year 500. Write the answer in Roman numerals.
The number of years that have passed is CDLXXXIII.
Convert CMLXXXIII into its decimal form: CMLXXXIII = 983
Subtract the year 500: 983 - 500 = 483
Convert 483 into Roman numerals: 400 (CD) + 80 (LXXX) + 3 (III) = CDLXXXIII
An architect uses the number CMLXXXIII to denote the total number of columns in a series of buildings. If each building has CXVI columns, how many buildings are there? Write the answer in Roman numerals.
There are VIII buildings.
Convert CMLXXXIII and CXVI into their decimal forms: CMLXXXIII = 983
CXVI = 116
Divide the total number of columns by the number of columns per building: 983 ÷ 116 = 8.474 (approximately)
Since only whole buildings count, there are 8 buildings. Convert 8 into Roman numerals: VIII
A collector has CMLXXXIII ancient coins and decides to distribute them equally among XIII friends. How many coins does each friend receive? Write the answer in Roman numerals.
Each friend receives LXXV coins.
Convert CMLXXXIII and XIII into their decimal forms: CMLXXXIII = 983
XIII = 13
Divide the total number of coins by the number of friends: 983 ÷ 13 = 75
Convert 75 into Roman numerals: 70 (LXX) + 5 (V) = LXXV
Calculate the sum of CMLXXXIII and DCXVII. Write your answer in Roman numerals.
The sum is MDC.
Convert CMLXXXIII and DCXVII into their decimal forms: CMLXXXIII = 983
DCXVII = 617
Add the numbers: 983 + 617 = 1600
Convert 1600 into Roman numerals: 1000 (M) + 600 (DC) = MDC
If a library has CMLXXXIII books and plans to add a batch of CCCXVII books, what will be the new total? Write your answer in Roman numerals.
The new total will be MCCC.
Convert CMLXXXIII and CCCXVII into their decimal forms: CMLXXXIII = 983
CCCXVII = 317
Add the numbers: 983 + 317 = 1300
Convert 1300 into Roman numerals: 1000 (M) + 300 (CCC) = MCCC
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.