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 MCMLXXI.
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. MCMLXXI in Roman numerals can be written in number form by adding the values of each Roman numeral, i.e. MCMLXXI = 1971.
Let us learn more about the Roman numeral MCMLXXI, 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 MCMLXXI 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 the numerals together.
For MCMLXXI,
Step 1: First we break the Roman numerals. MCMLXXI = M + CM + L + X + X + I
Step 2: Write the Roman Numerals for each part The Roman Numeral M is 1000 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 M + CM + L + X + X + I = 1000 + 900 + 50 + 10 + 10 + 1 = 1971. Therefore, the Roman Numeral MCMLXXI is 1971.
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 MCMLXXI.
Step 1: The larger Roman numerals are what we will begin with. Once split, the Roman numerals we get are M, CM, L, XX, and I. The numeral for M is 1000 The numeral for CM is 900 The numeral for L is 50 The numeral for XX is 20 The numeral for I is 1
Step 2: Now we need to either add or subtract the smaller number, depending on its place.
Here, we add CM, L, XX, and I to M, and we will get MCMLXXI. Therefore, the numeral of MCMLXXI is 1971.
Students can make mistakes when studying Roman numerals. Here are a few common mistakes students make, and ways to avoid them.
Find the sum of MCMLXXI + CXXIX. Write the answer in Roman numerals.
The sum is MMCC.
Convert both Roman numerals into their decimal form:
MCMLXXI = 1971
CXXIX = 129
Now add both numbers: 1971 + 129 = 2100
Now convert the number into its Roman numeral: 2100 = 2000 (MM) + 100 (C) = MMCC
What is the difference between MMXXIII - MCMLXXI? Write in Roman numerals.
The difference is LII.
Convert the Roman numerals into their decimal form:
MMXXIII = 2023
MCMLXXI = 1971
Now we subtract the numbers: 2023 - 1971 = 52
Convert the number into its Roman numeral: 52 = 50 (L) + 2 (II) = LII
Divide MCMXLII by 9 and write the answer in Roman numerals.
CCXVI
Convert MCMXLII into its decimal form:
MCMXLII = 1942
Divide by 9: 1942 / 9 = 215.777... (rounded to 216)
Write 216 in Roman numerals: 216 = 200 (CC) + 10 (X) + 6 (VI) = CCXVI
Find the product of MCMLXXI and III.
The product is MMMCMXIII.
Write MCMLXXI and III in numbers:
MCMLXXI = 1971
III = 3
Multiply the numbers: 1971 × 3 = 5913
Convert 5913 into its Roman numerals: 5000 (MMMMM) + 900 (CM) + 10 (X) + 3 (III) = MMMCMXIII
Convert MCMLXXI into its decimal form.
In decimal form MCMLXXI is 1971.
Break MCMLXXI into components:
M = 1000
CM = 900 (1000 - 100)
LXX = 70 (50 + 10 + 10)
I = 1
Add values: 1000 + 900 + 70 + 1 = 1971
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.