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Last updated on March 2nd, 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 MDII.
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. MDII in Roman numerals can be written in number form by adding the values of each Roman numeral, i.e. MDII = 1502.
Let us learn more about the Roman numeral MDII, how we write it, 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 MDII 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 MDII,
Step 1: First we break the Roman numerals. MDII = M + D + I + I
Step 2: Write the Roman Numerals for each part The Roman Numeral M is 1000 The Roman Numeral D is 500 The Roman Numeral I is 1
Step 3: Combine all the numbers M + D + I + I = 1000 + 500 + 1 + 1 = 1502. Therefore, the Roman Numeral MDII is 1502.
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 MDII.
Step 1: The larger Roman numerals are what we will begin with. Once split, the Roman numerals we get are M and DII. The numeral for M is 1000
Step 2: Now we need to either add or subtract the smaller number, depending on its place. Here we add DII to M and we will get MDII. The Roman numeral D is 500 and II is 2 Therefore, the numeral of MDII is 1502.
Students can make mistakes when studying Roman numerals. Here are a few common mistakes students make, and ways to avoid them.
If you add MDII to MD, what is the sum in Roman numerals?
The sum is MMII
Convert both Roman numerals into decimal form:
MDII = 1502
MD = 1500
Add the numbers:
1502 + 1500 = 3002
Convert 3002 into Roman numerals:
3000 (MMM) + 2 (II) = MMII
Subtract DCCCL from MDII and express the answer in Roman numerals.
The difference is DCXLII
Convert the Roman numerals into decimal form:
MDII = 1502
DCCCL = 850
Subtract the numbers:
1502 - 850 = 652
Convert 652 into Roman numerals:
600 (DC) + 40 (XL) + 10 (X) + 2 (II) = DCXLII
Divide MDII by 2 and write the answer in Roman numerals.
DLI
Convert MDII into its decimal form:
MDII = 1502
Divide by 2:
1502 / 2 = 751
Convert 751 into Roman numerals:
700 (DCC) + 50 (L) + 1 (I) = DLI
Multiply MDII by III. What is the product in Roman numerals?
The product is MMMVI
Convert MDII and III into numbers:
MDII = 1502
III = 3
Multiply the numbers:
1502 × 3 = 4506
Convert 4506 into Roman numerals:
4000 (MMMM) + 500 (D) + 6 (VI) = MMMVI
Convert MDII into its decimal form.
In decimal form, MDII is 1502
Break MDII into components:
M = 1000
D = 500
II = 2
Add values:
1000 + 500 + 2 = 1502
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.