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Last updated on February 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 CCCXX.
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. CCCXX in Roman numerals can be written in number form by adding the values of each Roman numeral, i.e. CCCXX = 320.
Let us learn more about the Roman numeral CCCXX, 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.
A symbol that is repeated three times in continuation increases the value of the numeral. For example, CCC = 300.
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 CCCXX 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 CCCXX,
Step 1: First, we break the Roman numerals. CCCXX = C + C + C + X + X
Step 2: Write the Roman Numerals for each part The Roman Numeral C is 100 The Roman Numeral X is 10
Step 3: Combine all the numbers C + C + C + X + X = 100 + 100 + 100 + 10 + 10 = 320. Therefore, the Roman Numeral CCCXX is 320.
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 CCCXX.
Step 1: The larger Roman numerals are what we will begin with. Once split, the Roman numerals we get are CCC and XX. The numeral for CCC is 300.
Step 2: Now we need to either add or subtract the smaller number, depending on its place.
Here we add XX to CCC, and we will get CCCXX. The Roman numeral XX is 20. Therefore, the numeral of CCCXX is 320.
Students can make mistakes when studying Roman numerals. Here are a few common mistakes students make, and ways to avoid them.
A Roman merchant has CCCXX apples. He sells C apples and then receives an additional LX apples. How many apples does he have now, in Roman numerals?
CCLXXX
Convert the Roman numerals into decimal form:
CCCXX = 320
C = 100
LX = 60
Subtract and then add the numbers: 320 - 100 + 60 = 280
Convert the number into a Roman numeral: 280 = 200 (CC) + 50 (L) + 30 (XXX) = CCLXXX
If a Roman architect built a bridge with CCCXX stones and later added another XL stones, how many stones are used in total? Write the answer in Roman numerals.
CCCLX
Convert the Roman numerals into decimal form:
CCCXX = 320
XL = 40
Add the numbers: 320 + 40 = 360
Convert the number into a Roman numeral: 360 = 300 (CCC) + 50 (L) + 10 (X) = CCCLX
A Roman scholar divides CCCXX scrolls among VIII students equally. How many scrolls does each student receive? Provide the answer in Roman numerals.
XL
Convert CCCXX and VIII into decimal form:
CCCXX = 320
VIII = 8
Divide the numbers: 320 ÷ 8 = 40
Convert the number into a Roman numeral: 40 = XL
A Roman general has a legion of CCCXX soldiers. After a battle, L soldiers retreat. How many soldiers remain in his legion? Write the answer in Roman numerals.
CCLXX
Convert the Roman numerals into decimal form:
CCCXX = 320
L = 50
Subtract the numbers: 320 - 50 = 270
Convert the number into a Roman numeral: 270 = 200 (CC) + 50 (L) + 20 (XX) = CCLXX
Convert CCCXX into its decimal form.
In decimal form, CCCXX is 320
Break CCCXX into components:
CCC = 300 (C + C + C)
XX = 20 (X + X)
Add the values: 300 + 20 = 320
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.