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 DLXXII.
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. DLXXII in Roman numerals can be written in number form by adding the values of each Roman numeral, i.e., DLXXII = 572.
Let us learn more about the Roman numeral DLXXII, 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.
Rule 1: Addition Method:
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 DLXXII 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 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 the numerals together.
For DLXXII,
Step 1: First, we break the Roman numerals. DLXXII = D + L + X + X + I + I
Step 2: Write the Roman numerals for each part The Roman numeral D is 500 The Roman numeral L is 50 The Roman numeral X is 10 The Roman numeral I is 1
Step 3: Combine all the numbers D + L + X + X + I + I = 500 + 50 + 10 + 10 + 1 + 1 = 572 Therefore, the Roman numeral DLXXII is 572.
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 DLXXII.
Step 1: The larger Roman numerals are what we will begin with. Once split, the Roman numerals we get are DL, XX, and II. The numeral for DL is 500 + 50 = 550
Step 2: Now we need to either add or subtract the smaller number, depending on its place. Here we add XX (20) and II (2) to DL (550), and we will get DLXXII. Therefore, the numeral DLXXII is 572.
Students can make mistakes when studying Roman numerals. Here are a few common mistakes students make, and ways to avoid them.
What is DLXXII minus CCX? Write the answer in Roman numerals.
The result is CCCLXII
Convert the Roman numerals into their decimal form:
DLXXII = 572
CCX = 210
Now subtract the numbers:
572 - 210 = 362
Convert the number back into Roman numerals:
362 = 300 (CCC) + 60 (LX) + 2 (II) = CCCLXII
Find the sum of DLXXII and CLIV. Write the answer in Roman numerals.
The sum is DCCXXVI
Convert both Roman numerals into decimal form:
DLXXII = 572
CLIV = 154
Add the numbers:
572 + 154 = 726
Convert the number back into Roman numerals:
726 = 700 (DCC) + 20 (XX) + 6 (VI) = DCCXXVI
Divide DLXXII by IV and write the answer in Roman numerals.
CXLIII
Convert DLXXII into its decimal form:
DLXXII = 572
Divide by 4:
572 / 4 = 143
Convert the result into Roman numerals:
143 = 100 (C) + 40 (XL) + 3 (III) = CXLIII
Multiply DLXXII by II. Write the result in Roman numerals.
The product is MCLXLIV
Convert DLXXII into numbers:
DLXXII = 572
Multiply by 2:
572 × 2 = 1144
Convert the number back into Roman numerals:
1144 = 1000 (M) + 100 (C) + 40 (XL) + 4 (IV) = MCLXLIV
What is the decimal form of DLXXII?
In decimal form, DLXXII is 572
Break DLXXII into components:
D = 500
LXX = 70 (L + X + X)
II = 2 (I + I)
Add values: 500 + 70 + 2 = 572
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.