Last updated on May 26th, 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 MCDVII.
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. MCDVII in Roman numerals can be written in number form by adding and subtracting the values of each Roman numeral, i.e., MCDVII = 1407.
Let us learn more about the Roman numeral MCDVII, how we write them, 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 increases the value of the numeral. For example, XXX = 30.
We use the subtraction method when a smaller symbol precedes a larger 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 MCDVII 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 or subtracting 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 or subtract the numerals together. For MCDVII,
Step 1: First, we break the Roman numerals. MCDVII = M + (D - C) + V + 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 C is 100 The Roman Numeral V is 5 The Roman Numeral I is 1
Step 3: Combine all the numbers M + (D - C) + V + I + I = 1000 + (500 - 100) + 5 + 1 + 1 = 1400 + 7 = 1407. Therefore, the Roman Numeral MCDVII is 1407.
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 MCDVII.
Step 1: The larger Roman numerals are what we will begin with. Once split, the Roman numerals we get are M, CD, and VII. The numeral for M is 1000 The numeral for CD is 400
Step 2: Now we need to either add or subtract the smaller numbers, depending on their place. Here we add VII to MCD and we will get MCDVII. The Roman numeral VII is 7 Therefore, the numeral of MCDVII is 1407.
Students can make mistakes when studying Roman numerals. Here are a few common mistakes students make, and ways to avoid them.
How would you express the year MCDVII in the 21st century using Roman numerals, if ‘M’ represents 1000 years?
The year would be MMCDVII.
MCDVII is 1407 in decimal form. To express 1407 years later in Roman numerals, start with MCDVII and add 1000 (M) to the year: MCDVII = 1000 (M) + 400 (CD) + 7 (VII) = 1407 1407 + 1000 = 2407
Convert 2407 into Roman numerals: 2000 (MM) + 400 (CD) + 7 (VII) = MMCDVII
If a building's cornerstone was laid in year MCDVII, and it was demolished 500 years later, what year was it demolished? Write the answer in Roman numerals.
The building was demolished in the year MCMVII.
Convert MCDVII into its decimal form: MCDVII = 1000 (M) + 400 (CD) + 7 (VII) = 1407
Add 500 years: 1407 + 500 = 1907
Convert 1907 into Roman numerals: 1000 (M) + 900 (CM) + 7 (VII) = MCMVII
If you start with MCDVII gold coins and distribute them evenly among 7 people, how many coins does each person receive? Write the answer in Roman numerals.
Each person receives CCXI coins.
Convert MCDVII into its decimal form: MCDVII = 1000 (M) + 400 (CD) + 7 (VII) = 1407
Divide by 7: 1407 ÷ 7 = 201
Convert 201 into Roman numerals: 200 (CC) + 1 (I) = CCI
What is the total if you combine two amounts: MCDVII and DCCCLIX? Write the answer in Roman numerals.
The total is MMCLXVI.
Convert both Roman numerals into decimal form: MCDVII = 1000 (M) + 400 (CD) + 7 (VII) = 1407
DCCCLIX = 800 (DCCC) + 50 (L) + 9 (IX) = 859
Add the numbers: 1407 + 859 = 2266
Convert 2266 into Roman numerals: 2000 (MM) + 200 (CC) + 60 (LX) + 6 (VI) = MMCLXVI
Convert MCDVII into its decimal form.
In decimal form, MCDVII is 1407.
Break MCDVII into components: M = 1000
CD = 400 (subtract 100 from 500)
VII = 7 (I + I + I)
Add values: 1000 + 400 + 7 = 1407
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.