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Last updated on February 24th, 2025
Roman numerals are a way of expressing numbers using symbols. The symbols we use are I, V, X, L, C, D, and M. Roman numerals are used in royal titles, book names, sequences, and so on. Here we will be discussing Roman numerals, rules, and examples.
The royal titles, such as Henry I, Henry II, and so on, use Roman numerals. Have you noticed the names and wondered what these symbols (I and II) represented? Those are Roman numerals. Earlier, people used fingers, sticks, bones, etc., to count. When life became more complex, a standard form was required to count. Ancient Romans developed the Roman numeral system for counting. I (1), V (5), X (10), L (50), C (100), D (500), and M (1000) are the symbols we use to count.
In Roman numerals, we use LV to represent 55, where L is 50 and V is 5. Let’s learn more about Roman numerals and how we write them.
There are certain basic rules to write a number in Roman numerals. In this section, let’s discuss some basic rules that need to be remembered when writing a number in Roman numerals.
Rule 1: Addition Method
The addition method is used when the smaller number is placed after the larger number. For example, LV → L + V → 50 + 5 = 55.
Rule 2: Repetition Method
To write a large number, there are certain Roman numerals that can be repeated up to three times. For example, III → 3.
Rule 3: Subtraction Method
If a smaller number is followed by a larger number in Roman numerals, we subtract the smaller number from the larger number. For example, XL → L - X → 50 - 10 = 40.
Rule 4: Limitation Rule
The symbols cannot be repeated more than three times, and some symbols like V, L, and D cannot be repeated. For example, we won't write LL for 100; instead, we use C.
Let’s now learn how to write 55 in Roman numerals. Follow these methods to write the number in Roman numerals.
In the expansion method, based on the place value, the number is broken down. In this section, we will learn how to write 55 in Roman numerals using the expansion method.
To write 55 in Roman numerals, follow these steps:
Step 1: Break the number based on the place value. Place values are ones, tens, hundreds, etc.
For 55, we write it as 50 + 5.
Step 2: Convert the numbers into Roman numerals.
50 in Roman numeral — L
5 in Roman numeral — V
Step 3: Combine the Roman numerals together.
Therefore, 55 in Roman numeral is L (50) + V (5) = LV.
When writing a large number in Roman numerals, we group the number. To write 55 in Roman numerals, we group 55 as 50 + 5.
50 in Roman numeral — L
5 in Roman numeral — V
So, 55 is written as LV in Roman numerals.
A historian is cataloging artifacts and finds that there are LV items in one collection and XLV items in another. What is the total number of artifacts?
A professor is dividing CLXXXV pages of a manuscript among V students equally. How many pages does each student receive?
Calculate the difference in years between the founding of a city in the year LIX and an event that happened in the year IV.
An ancient text mentions that a king ruled for XX years after an initial period of ruling for XXXV years. What is the total duration of his reign?
Write the Roman Numeral for 23 + 32 using the expansion method.
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.