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Last updated on March 3rd, 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 CIV.
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. CIV in Roman numerals can be written in number form by adding and subtracting the values of each Roman numeral, i.e. CIV = 104.
Let us learn more about the Roman numeral CIV, 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 three times in continuation 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 CIV 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 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 and subtract the numerals appropriately.
For CIV,
Step 1: First we break the Roman numerals. CIV = C + IV
Step 2: Write the Roman Numerals for each part The Roman Numeral C is 100 The Roman Numeral IV is 4
Step 3: Combine all the numbers C + IV = 100 + 4 = 104. Therefore, the Roman Numeral CIV is 104.
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 CIV.
Step 1: The larger Roman numerals are what we will begin with. Once split, the Roman numerals we get are C and IV. The numeral for C is 100.
Step 2: Now we need to either add or subtract the smaller number, depending on its place.
Here we add IV to C and we will get CIV. The Roman numeral IV is 4. Therefore, the numeral of CIV is 104.
Students can make mistakes when studying Roman numerals. Here are a few common mistakes students make, and ways to avoid them.
Find the result of CIV + XLII. Write the answer in Roman numerals.
The result is CXLVI
Convert both Roman numerals into their decimal form:
CIV = 104
XLII = 42
Now add both numbers: 104 + 42 = 146
Convert the number into its Roman numeral: 146 = 100 + 40 + 6 = CXLVI
What is the difference between CLX - CIV? Write in Roman numerals.
The difference is LVI
Convert the Roman numerals into their decimal form:
CLX = 160
CIV = 104
Now we subtract the numbers: 160 - 104 = 56
Convert the number into its Roman numeral: 56 = 50 + 6 = LVI
Multiply CIV by III and write the answer in Roman numerals.
CCCXII
Convert CIV into its decimal form:
CIV = 104
Multiply by 3: 104 × 3 = 312
Write 312 in Roman numerals: 300 (CCC) + 10 (X) + 2 (II) = CCCXII
Divide CCLXVIII by IV and write the answer in Roman numerals.
LXVII is the quotient of CCLXVIII divided by IV.
Convert CCLXVIII into its decimal form:
CCLXVIII = 268
Divide by 4: 268 / 4 = 67
Convert 67 into its Roman numeral: 67 = 50 (L) + 10 (X) + 5 (V) + 2 (II) = LXVII
Convert CIV into its decimal form.
In decimal form, CIV is 104
Break CIV into components:
C = 100
IV = 4 (5 - 1)
Add values: 100 + 4 = 104
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.