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Last updated on February 27th, 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 I.
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. The Roman numeral I represents the number 1.
Let us learn more about the Roman numeral I, 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 VI, we have 5 + 1 = 6.
A symbol that is repeated increases the value of the numeral. For example, III = 3.
We use the subtraction method when a larger symbol follows a smaller symbol. For example, IV = 4 (which is 5 – 1).
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 I 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 numeral 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 I,
Step 1: First, we break the Roman numeral. I = I
Step 2: Write the Roman Numerals for each part The Roman Numeral I is 1
Step 3: Combine all the numbers I = 1. Therefore, the Roman Numeral I is 1.
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 I.
Step 1: The larger Roman numeral is what we will begin with. Once split, the Roman numeral we get is I. The numeral for I is 1.
Step 2: No addition or subtraction is needed. Therefore, the numeral of I is 1.
Find the sum of XIX + XXII. Write the answer in Roman numerals.
What is the difference between L - XXVII? Write in Roman numerals.
Divide XL by 2 and write the answer in Roman numerals.
Find the product of XI and IV.
Convert XXI into its decimal form.
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.