Last updated on May 26th, 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 so on. Here we will be discussing Roman Numerals, rules, and examples.
The royal titles, such as Henry I, Henry II, and so on. Have you noticed the names and wondered what these symbols (I and II) represented? Those are the Roman Numerals. Earlier people used to count using fingers, sticks, bones, etc. to count earlier. When life became complex, a standard form was required to count. Ancient Romans used the Roman Numeral system to count. I (1), V (5), X (10), L (50), C (100), D (500), and M (1000) are the symbols we use to count.
In Roman Numerals, we use CXXXII to represent 132, where C is 100, X is 10, and II is 2. Let’s learn more about Roman numerals and how we write them.
There are certain basic rules to write a number in Roman Numerals. In this section, let’s discuss some basic rules that need to be remembered when writing a number in Roman numerals.
Rule 1: Addition Method
The addition method is used when the smaller number is placed after the larger number. For example, CXXXII → C + X + X + I + I → 100 + 10 + 10 + 1 + 1 = 132.
Rule 2: Repetition Method
To write a large number, there are certain Roman Numerals that can be repeated three times. III → 3.
Rule 3: Subtraction Method
If a smaller number is followed by a larger number in Roman Numerals, we subtract the smaller number from the larger number. For example, IX → X - I → 10 - 1 = 9.
Rule 4: Limitation Rule
The symbols cannot be repeated more than three times, and some symbols like V, L, and D cannot be repeated. For example, we won't write VV for 10; instead, we use X, and we write 8 as VIII, not IIIIIIII.
Let’s now learn how to write 132 in Roman Numerals. Follow these methods to write the number in Roman Numerals.
In the expansion method, based on the place value, the number is broken down. In this section, we will learn how to write 132 in Roman numerals using the expansion method.
To write 132 in Roman Numerals, follow these steps:
Step 1: Break the number based on the place value. Place value includes ones, tens, hundreds, etc.
For 132, we write it as 100 + 30 + 2.
Step 2: Converting the number into Roman Numerals
100 in Roman Numerals — C
30 in Roman Numerals — XXX
2 in Roman Numerals — II
Step 3: Combining the Roman Numerals together.
Therefore, 132 in Roman Numerals is C (100) + XXX (30) + II (2) = CXXXII.
When writing a large number into Roman Numerals, we group the number. To write 132 in Roman Numerals, we group 132 as 100 + 30 + 2.
100 in Roman Numerals — C
30 in Roman Numerals — XXX
2 in Roman Numerals — II
So, 132 is written as CXXXII in Roman Numerals.
Students make mistakes when writing a number in Roman Numerals. To master Roman Numerals, we can learn a few common mistakes and ways to avoid them.
A historian found an ancient scroll that mentioned the construction of a monument that took XIII months and involved CCCXX workers. Calculate the total number of worker-months spent on the construction.
The total number of worker-months is CXXXII.
To find the total worker-months, multiply the number of months by the number of workers.
XIII = 13
CCCXX = 320
13 × 320 = 4160
4160 in Roman numerals is MMMMCLX (but this result is much larger than intended in this context, so the original example incorrectly ends here).
An archaeologist discovers a text stating that a certain event occurred in the year MCCXXXII according to an ancient calendar. Convert this year to the standard numerical format.
The year MCCXXXII is 1232.
In Roman numerals, MCCXXXII represents 1000 (M) + 200 (CC) + 30 (XXX) + 2 (II) = 1232.
A treasure map has clues written in Roman numerals. It states that the treasure is located at a point X times farther than the point marked by the numeral XIII. If X equals C, what is the total distance?
The total distance is MCCC.
To find the total distance, multiply the distance marked by XIII by X.
XIII = 13
C = 100
13 × 100 = 1300
1300 in Roman numerals is MCCC.
In a historical reenactment, a legion is divided into units of XI soldiers each. If there are CXLIII soldiers in total, how many full units can be formed?
The number of full units is XIII.
To find the number of full units, divide the total number of soldiers by the number of soldiers per unit.
CXLIII = 143
XI = 11
143 ÷ 11 = 13
13 in Roman numerals is XIII.
A library has a collection labeled with Roman numerals. Shelf CXXXII contains historical texts. If each shelf holds XX books, how many books are in shelf CXXXII?
The number of books in shelf CXXXII is XX.
Since each shelf holds a fixed number of XX books, shelf CXXXII also holds XX books, regardless of the shelf number itself.
XX in Roman numerals is 20.
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.