Last updated on May 26th, 2025
Roman numerals are a method of expressing numbers using specific symbols: I, V, X, L, C, D, and M. These numerals are often seen in royal titles, book chapters, sequences, and more. Here, we will discuss Roman numerals, their rules, and examples.
You may have seen royal titles such as Henry I, Henry II, and so forth. Have you ever wondered what these symbols (I and II) represented? These are Roman numerals. In ancient times, people counted using fingers, sticks, bones, etc. As life became more complex, a standard form was needed for counting. Ancient Romans developed the Roman numeral system for this purpose. The symbols include I (1), V (5), X (10), L (50), C (100), D (500), and M (1000).
In Roman numerals, we use CCVIII to represent 208, where C is 100, another C is 100, V is 5, and III is 3. 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, VIII → V + III → 5 + 3 = 8.
Rule 2: Repetition Method
To write a large number, certain Roman numerals can be repeated up to three times. For example, CCC → 300.
Rule 3: Subtraction Method
If a smaller number is placed before a larger number, we subtract the smaller number from the larger one. For example, IV → V - I → 5 - 1 = 4.
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 VV for 10; instead, we use X, and 8 is written as VIII, not IIIIIIII.
Let’s now learn how to write 208 in Roman numerals. Follow these methods to write the number in Roman numerals.
By Expansion Method
By Grouping Method
In the expansion method, numbers are broken down based on their place value. In this section, we will learn how to write 208 in Roman numerals using the expansion method.
To write 208 in Roman numerals, follow these steps:
Step 1: Break the number based on place value: hundreds, tens, and ones.
For 208, we write it as 200 + 8.
Step 2: Convert the numbers into Roman numerals:
- 200 in Roman numerals — CC
- 8 in Roman numerals — VIII
Step 3: Combine the Roman numerals together.
Therefore, 208 in Roman numerals is CC (200) + VIII (8) = CCVIII.
When writing a large number into Roman numerals, we group the number. To write 208 in Roman numerals, we group 208 as 200 + 8.
- 200 in Roman numerals — CC
- 8 in Roman numerals — VIII
So, 208 is written as CCVIII 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 ways to avoid them.
Calculate the sum of CC and VIII.
The sum of CC and VIII is CCVIII.
CC is 200 and VIII is 8.
The sum of CC and VIII is 200 + 8 = 208.
208 in Roman Numerals can be written as CCVIII.
A warehouse has DCCXXVIII boxes that need to be distributed equally among IV trucks. Determine the number of boxes each truck will carry.
Each truck will carry CLXXXII boxes.
To find the number of boxes each truck carries, divide the total number of boxes by the number of trucks.
DCCXXVIII = 728
IV = 4
DCCXXVIII / IV = 728 / 4 = 182
182 in Roman Numerals is CLXXXII.
Find the difference between CCXL and XXXII.
The difference between CCXL and XXXII is CCVIII.
The difference of two numbers is found by subtracting one from the other.
CCXL = 240
XXXII = 32
240 - 32 = 208
208 in Roman Numerals is CCVIII.
Convert the product of LII and IV into Roman numerals.
The product of LII and IV is CCVIII.
LII is 52 and IV is 4.
The product of LII and IV is 52 × 4 = 208.
208 in Roman Numerals is CCVIII.
Write the Roman Numeral for 105 + 103 using the expansion method.
The Roman numeral for 105 + 103 is CCVIII.
Step 1: Convert the numbers 105 and 103 into Roman numerals.
105 - CV
103 - CIII
Add the numbers together: 105 + 103 = 208
Using the expansion method: 208 = 200 + 8 = CC + VIII = CCVIII
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.