Table Of Contents
Last updated on February 23rd, 2025
Roman numerals are a way of expressing numbers using specific symbols: I, V, X, L, C, D, and M. They are often used in contexts like royal titles, book names, and sequences. Here we will be discussing Roman numerals, their rules, and examples.
Royal titles, such as Henry I, Henry II, and so on, use Roman numerals. Have you noticed these names and wondered what the symbols (I and II) represent?
They are Roman numerals. In ancient times, people counted using fingers, sticks, bones, etc. As life became more complex, a standard form was required for counting. Ancient Romans used 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 used for counting.
In Roman numerals, we use DCCXX to represent 720, where D is 500, CC is 200, and XX is 20. Let's learn more about Roman numerals and how we write them.
There are certain basic rules for writing a number in Roman numerals. In this section, let's discuss some rules that need to be remembered.
The addition method is used when a smaller number is placed after a larger number. For example, DCCXX → D + CC + XX → 500 + 200 + 20 = 720.
To write larger numbers, certain Roman numerals can be repeated up to three times. For example, XX → 20.
When a smaller numeral precedes a larger numeral, the smaller is subtracted from the larger. 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 write 10 as X, not VV.
Let's now learn how to write 720 in Roman numerals using different methods.
In this method, the number is broken down based on its place value.
Step 1: Break the number based on place value: 700 + 20.
Step 2: Convert each part into Roman numerals:
- 700 in Roman numerals — DCC
- 20 in Roman numerals — XX
Step 3: Combine them: Therefore, 720 in Roman numerals is DCCXX.
To write 720 in Roman numerals, we group it as 700 + 20.
- 700 in Roman numerals — DCC
- 20 in Roman numerals — XX
So, 720 is written as DCCXX in Roman numerals.
A historian is cataloging artifacts and has a total of DCCXX items. She decides to divide them equally into XL groups for a detailed study. How many items will be in each group?
Calculate the total value when two ancient scrolls, valued at CCCLX and CCCLX, are combined.
A collector has DCCXX coins and decides to display them in groups of XXIV. How many full groups can she form?
A merchant has two sets of goods, one weighing CCC and the other weighing CDXX. What is their total weight together?
Write the Roman Numeral for 500 + 220 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.