Last updated on May 26th, 2025
Roman numerals are a way of expressing numbers using specific symbols. The symbols used include I, V, X, L, C, D, and M. Roman numerals are found in royal titles, book names, sequences, and more. In this article, we will discuss Roman numerals, their rules, and examples.
Royal titles such as Henry VIII and Louis XIV use Roman numerals to signify order and succession. These symbols (VIII and XIV) represent numbers. In ancient times, people counted using fingers, sticks, bones, etc. As life became more complex, a standardized form was needed for counting. The ancient Romans developed the Roman numeral system for this purpose. I (1), V (5), X (10), L (50), C (100), D (500), and M (1000) are the symbols they used.
In Roman numerals, we write 196 as CXCVI, where C is 100, XC is 90, and VI is 6. 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 a smaller numeral follows a larger numeral. For example, VI → V + I → 5 + 1 = 6
Rule 2: Repetition Method
Some Roman numerals can be repeated up to three times to represent larger numbers. For example, III → 3.
Rule 3: Subtraction Method
When a smaller numeral precedes a larger numeral, we subtract the smaller number from the larger one. For example, IX → X - I → 10 - 1 = 9
Rule 4: Limitation Rule
Symbols cannot be repeated more than three times, and some symbols like V, L, and D cannot be repeated. For example, we would not write VV for 10; instead, we use X.
Let’s now learn how to write 196 in Roman numerals. Follow these methods to write the number in Roman numerals.
By Expansion Method
By Grouping Method
In the expansion method, based on the place value, the number is broken down. In this section, we will learn how to write 196 in Roman numerals using the expansion method.
To write 196 in Roman numerals, follow these steps:
Step 1: Break down the number based on place value: hundreds, tens, and units.
For 196, we write it as 100 + 90 + 6.
Step 2: Convert each part into Roman numerals:
100 in Roman numerals — C
90 in Roman numerals — XC
6 in Roman numerals — VI
Step 3: Combine them together:
Therefore, 196 in Roman numerals is C (100) + XC (90) + VI (6) = CXCVI
When writing large numbers in Roman numerals, we group them.
To write 196 in Roman numerals, we group it as 100 + 90 + 6.
100 in Roman numerals — C
90 in Roman numerals — XC
6 in Roman numerals — VI
So, 196 is written as CXCVI in Roman numerals.
Students often make mistakes when writing numbers in Roman numerals. To master Roman numerals, we can learn a few common mistakes and how to avoid them.
Calculate the sum of C and XCVI.
The sum of C and XCVI is CXCVI.
In Roman numerals, C is 100 and XCVI is 96. The sum of 100 and 96 is 196. Therefore, 196 in Roman numerals is CXCVI.
A historian finds a document stating that CLXXVIII soldiers were joined by XVIII reinforcements. Find the total number of soldiers.
The total number of soldiers is CXCVI.
CLXXVIII is 178 and XVIII is 18. Adding these together gives 178 + 18 = 196. So, 196 soldiers in Roman numerals is CXCVI.
A museum has a collection of CXCVI artifacts and plans to display them evenly across VII rooms. How many artifacts will each room have?
Each room will have XXVIII artifacts.
To find the number of artifacts per room, divide CXCVI by VII.
CXCVI = 196
VII = 7
196 / 7 = 28
28 in Roman numerals is XXVIII.
A book contains CXCVI pages, and a reader plans to read XX pages per day. How many days will it take to finish the book?
It will take X days to finish the book.
To find the number of days, divide the total pages by the pages read per day.
CXCVI = 196
XX = 20
196 / 20 = 9.8, which rounds up to 10 days.
10 in Roman numerals is X.
Write the Roman numeral for the difference between CCXL and XLIV.
The Roman numeral for the difference is CXCVI.
The difference is found by subtracting one number from the other.
CCXL = 240
XLIV = 44
240 - 44 = 196
196 in Roman numerals is CXCVI.
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.