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Last updated on February 24th, 2025
Roman numerals are a way of expressing numbers using symbols. I, V, X, L, C, D, and M are the symbols we use. Roman Numerals are used in royal titles, book names, sequences, and more. Here we will be discussing Roman Numerals, rules, and examples.
Royal titles such as Henry I, Henry II, and so on often use Roman Numerals. Have you noticed these symbols (I and II) and wondered what they represent? Those are Roman Numerals.
In ancient times, people used fingers, sticks, bones, etc., to count. As life became complex, a standard system was required for counting. The Ancient Romans developed the Roman Numeral system for this purpose. In this system, the symbols I (1), V (5), X (10), L (50), C (100), D (500), and M (1000) are used.
In Roman Numerals, we use DCLXXXVI to represent 686. Here, D is 500, C is 100, L is 50, X is 10, and VI is 6. Let’s learn more about Roman numerals and how we write them.
There are certain basic rules for writing numbers in Roman Numerals. In this section, let’s discuss some basic rules that need to be remembered when writing a number in Roman numerals.
The addition method is used when the smaller number is placed after the larger number. For example, DCLXXXVI → D + C + L + X + X + V + I → 500 + 100 + 50 + 10 + 10 + 5 + 1 = 686.
To write larger numbers, certain Roman Numerals can be repeated up to three times. For example, XXX → 30.
If a small number precedes a larger number in Roman Numerals, we subtract the smaller number from the larger number. For example, IX → X - I → 10 - 1 = 9.
Symbols cannot be repeated more than three times, and some symbols like V, L, and D cannot be repeated. For example, we don't write VVV for 15; instead, we use XV.
Let’s now learn how to write 686 in Roman Numerals. Follow these methods to write the number in Roman Numerals:
In the expansion method, the number is broken down based on its place value. In this section, we will learn how to write 686 in Roman numerals using the expansion method. To write 686 in Roman Numerals, follow the steps:
Step 1: Break the number based on place value: hundreds, tens, and ones. For 686, we write it as 600 + 80 + 6.
Step 2: Convert the numbers into Roman Numerals:
Step 3: Combine the Roman Numerals together. Therefore, 686 in Roman Numerals is DC (600) + LXXX (80) + VI (6) = DCLXXXVI.
When writing a large number in Roman Numerals, we group the number. To write 686 in Roman Numerals, we group 686 as 600 + 80 + 6.
So, 686 is written as DCLXXXVI in Roman Numerals.
A historian discovers a manuscript mentioning a battle involving CDLXXX soldiers on one side and CCVI on the other. What is the total number of soldiers involved in the battle?
A library has a collection of DCCXL books, and the librarian decides to distribute these books equally into IV sections. How many books will each section contain?
An ancient inscription states that a journey took CCCLXXXIV days, which was CCLXXXII days shorter than another journey. How long was the longer journey?
A merchant records a profit of DCCCXLII denarii after expenses of CLVI denarii. What was the total income?
Write the Roman Numeral for 600 + 86 using the expansion method.
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.