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.
Royal titles, such as Henry I, Henry II, and so on, use Roman numerals. 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. 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), D (500), and M (1000) are the symbols we use to count.
In Roman Numerals, we use MCMLXVI to represent 1966, where M is 1000, CM is 900, LX is 60, and VI is 6. 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.
The addition method is used when a smaller number is placed after a larger number. For example, VI → V + I → 5 + 1 = 6
To write a large number, certain Roman Numerals can be repeated up to three times. III → 3.
If a small number is followed by a large 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 VV for 10; instead, we use X, and we write 8 as VIII, not IIIIIIII.
Let’s now learn how to write 1966 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 1966 in Roman numerals using the expansion method. To write 1966 in Roman Numerals, follow these steps:
Step 1: Break the number based on place value, such as ones, tens, hundreds, etc. For 1966, we write it as 1000 + 900 + 60 + 6
Step 2: Convert each number into Roman Numerals
Step 3: Combine the Roman Numerals together. Therefore, 1966 in Roman Numerals is M (1000) + CM (900) + LX (60) + VI (6) = MCMLXVI
When writing a large number into Roman Numerals, we group the number. To write 1966 in Roman Numerals, we group 1966 as 1000 + 900 + 60 + 6
So, 1966 is written as MCMLXVI 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.
Calculate the sum of MCM and LXVI.
The sum of MCM and LXVI is MCMLXVI.
To find the sum, we add the two Roman numerals together.
MCM = 1900
LXVI = 66
1900 + 66 = 1966
1966 in Roman Numerals can be written as MCMLXVI.
A historian is categorizing MCMXCVI artifacts into LXVI categories. How many artifacts will each category have?
Each category will have XXX artifacts.
To find the number of artifacts per category, we divide the total number of artifacts by the number of categories.
MCMXCVI = 1996
LXVI = 66
1996 / 66 ≈ 30
30 in Roman Numerals can be written as XXX.
If a library has MCMXL books and receives an additional XXVI books, how many books does it have now?
The library now has MCMXLXVI books.
To find the new total, we add the two numbers together.
MCMXL = 1940
XXVI = 26
1940 + 26 = 1966
1966 in Roman Numerals is MCMLXVI.
What is the difference between MM and XXXIV?
The difference between MM and XXXIV is MCMXLVI.
The difference of two numbers is the value we get when subtracting the smaller number from the larger number.
MM = 2000
XXXIV = 34
2000 - 34 = 1966
1966 in Roman Numerals can be written as MCMLXVI.
Convert the sum of 950 + 1016 into Roman numerals using the expansion method.
The sum of 950 + 1016 is MCMLXVI.
Step 1: First convert the numbers 950 and 1016 into Roman numerals 950 - CML 1016 - MXVI
Add the numbers together: 950 + 1016 = 1966 Using expansion method: 1966 = 1000 + 900 + 60 + 6 = MCMLXVI.
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.