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, use Roman numerals. Have you noticed these symbols and wondered what they represent? Those are Roman numerals.
In ancient times, people counted using fingers, sticks, and bones. As life became more complex, a standard form of counting was needed. Ancient Romans used the Roman numeral system. 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 DLXXXVII to represent 587. D is 500, L is 50, X is 10, and VII is 7. 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 the smaller number is placed after the larger number. For example, DLXXXVII → D + L + XXX + VII → 500 + 50 + 30 + 7 = 587.
To write larger numbers, certain Roman numerals can be repeated up to three times. For example, XXX → 30.
If a smaller number precedes a larger number in Roman numerals, we subtract the smaller number from the larger number. For example, IX → X - I → 10 - 1 = 9.
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 for 8, we write VIII, not IIIIIIII.
Let’s now learn how to write 587 in Roman numerals. Follow these methods to write the number in Roman numerals:4
In the expansion method, the number is broken down based on place value. In this section, we will learn how to write 587 in Roman numerals using the expansion method. To write 587 in Roman Numerals, follow the steps:
Step 1: Break the number based on place value. Place value includes ones, tens, hundreds, etc. For 587, we write it as 500 + 50 + 30 + 7.
Step 2: Convert each number into Roman numerals.
Step 3: Combine the Roman numerals together. Therefore, 587 in Roman numerals is D (500) + L (50) + XXX (30) + VII (7) = DLXXXVII.
When writing a large number in Roman numerals, we group the number. To write 587 in Roman numerals, we group 587 as 500 + 50 + 30 + 7.
So, 587 is written as DLXXXVII in Roman numerals.
Students often make mistakes when writing numbers in Roman numerals. To master Roman numerals, we can learn a few common mistakes and ways to avoid them.
Calculate the sum of DLXXXVII and CXIII.
The sum of DLXXXVII and CXIII is DCC.
In Roman numerals, DLXXXVII is 587 and CXIII is 113.
The sum of these numbers is 587 + 113 = 700.
700 in Roman numerals can be written as DCC.
A museum has DCCCLXXV artifacts, and it plans to display them in LXXXVII sections. How many artifacts will be in each section?
Each section will have X artifacts.
To find the number of artifacts in each section, divide the total number of artifacts by the number of sections. DCCCLXXV = 875
LXXXVII = 87
875 / 87 = 10
10 in Roman numerals is X.
Convert the difference between MCM and DLXXXVII into Roman numerals.
The difference between MCM and DLXXXVII is MCCCXIII.
First, convert the numbers to Arabic numerals:
MCM = 1900
DLXXXVII = 587
The difference is 1900 - 587 = 1313.
1313 in Roman numerals is MCCCXIII.
If you multiply DLXXXVII by II, what is the result in Roman numerals?
The result of multiplying DLXXXVII by II is MCLXXIV.
First, convert the numbers to Arabic numerals:
DLXXXVII = 587
II = 2
Multiply the numbers: 587 × 2 = 1174
1174 in Roman numerals is MCLXXIV.
Express the result of adding DXLIV and CXLIII using Roman numerals.
The result of adding DXLIV and CXLIII is DCLXXXVII.
Convert the numbers to Arabic numerals:
DXLIV = 544
CXLIII = 143
Add them together: 544 + 143 = 687
687 in Roman numerals is DCLXXXVII.
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.