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 MMXII.
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. MMXII in Roman numerals can be written in number form by adding the values of each Roman numeral, i.e., MMXII = 2012.
Let us learn more about the Roman numeral MMXII, 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. For example, 10 is represented as X and not VV.
Let us learn about how to write MMXII 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 MMXII,
Step 1: First, we break the Roman numerals. MMXII = M + M + X + I + I
Step 2: Write the Roman Numerals for each part The Roman Numeral M is 1000 The Roman Numeral X is 10 The Roman Numeral I is 1
Step 3: Combine all the numbers M + M + X + I + I = 1000 + 1000 + 10 + 1 + 1 = 2012. Therefore, the Roman Numeral MMXII is 2012.
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 MMXII.
Step 1: The larger Roman numerals are what we will begin with. Once split, the Roman numerals we get are MM and XII. The numeral for MM is 2000.
Step 2: Now we need to either add or subtract the smaller number, depending on its place. Here we add XII to MM, and we will get MMXII. The Roman numeral XII is 12. Therefore, the numeral of MMXII is 2012.
Students can make mistakes when studying Roman numerals. Here are a few common mistakes students make, and ways to avoid them.
What is the sum of MMXII + MCMXC? Write the answer in Roman numerals.
The sum is MMMCMII
Convert both Roman numerals into decimal form:
MMXII = 2012
MCMXC = 1990
Now add both numbers: 2012 + 1990 = 4002
Now convert the number into its Roman numeral: 4002 = 4000 (MMMM) + 2 (II) = MMMCMII
Subtract DCCX from MMXII and write the answer in Roman numerals.
The difference is MCCII
Convert the Roman numerals into decimal form:
MMXII = 2012
DCCX = 710
Now subtract the numbers: 2012 - 710 = 1302
Convert the number into its Roman numeral: 1302 = 1000 (M) + 300 (CCC) + 2 (II) = MCCII
Multiply MMXII by III and express the result in Roman numerals.
The product is MMMVI
Convert MMXII into its decimal form:
MMXII = 2012
Multiply by 3: 2012 × 3 = 6036
Convert 6036 into its Roman numerals: 6000 (MMMMMM) + 30 (XXX) + 6 (VI) = MMMVI
Divide MMXII by IV and write the answer in Roman numerals.
The result is DIII
Convert MMXII into its decimal form:
MMXII = 2012
Divide by 4: 2012 / 4 = 503
Convert 503 into its Roman numerals: 500 (D) + 3 (III) = DIII
Convert MMXII to its decimal form.
In decimal form, MMXII is 2012
Break MMXII into components:
MM = 2000 (M + M)
X = 10
II = 2
Add values: 2000 + 10 + 2 = 2012
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.