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 CMLVI.
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. CMLVI in Roman numerals can be written in number form by adding the values of each Roman numeral, i.e., CMLVI = 956.
Let us learn more about the Roman numeral CMLVI, how we write it, 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 larger symbol follows a smaller 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 more than once. For example, 10 is represented as X and not VV.
Let us learn about how to write CMLVI 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 CMLVI,
Step 1: First we break the Roman numerals. CMLVI = CM + L + V + I
Step 2: Write the Roman Numerals for each part The Roman Numeral CM is 900. The Roman Numeral L is 50. The Roman Numeral V is 5. The Roman Numeral I is 1.
Step 3: Combine all the numbers CM + L + V + I = 900 + 50 + 5 + 1 = 956. Therefore, the Roman Numeral CMLVI is 956.
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 CMLVI.
Step 1: The larger Roman numerals are what we will begin with. Once split, the Roman numerals we get are CM, L, V, and I. The numeral for CM is 900. The numeral for L is 50. The numeral for V is 5. The numeral for I is 1.
Step 2: Now we need to either add or subtract the smaller number, depending on its place.
Here we add LVI to CM and we will get CMLVI. The Roman numeral LVI is 56. Therefore, the numeral of CMLVI is 956.
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 CMLVI gold coins and donates CLX to a temple. How many coins does he have left? Write the answer in Roman numerals.
The merchant has DCCCXCVI coins left.
Convert the Roman numerals into their decimal forms:
CMLVI = 956
CLX = 160
Subtract the donation from the total coins: 956 - 160 = 796
Convert 796 into Roman numerals: 700 (DCC) + 90 (XC) + 6 (VI) = DCCCXCVI
A historian is calculating the difference in years between the founding of two ancient cities: one in CMLVI and the other in DCCCXXIV. What is the difference in years? Write the answer in Roman numerals.
The difference is CXXXII.
Convert the Roman numerals into their decimal forms:
CMLVI = 956
DCCCXXIV = 824
Calculate the difference in years: 956 - 824 = 132
Convert 132 into Roman numerals: 100 (C) + 30 (XXX) + 2 (II) = CXXXII
An archivist finds a scroll mentioning a battle in the year CMLVI. If it is now MMXXIII, how many years have passed since the battle? Write the answer in Roman numerals.
MLXVII years have passed since the battle.
Convert the Roman numerals into their decimal forms:
CMLVI = 956
MMXXIII = 2023
Calculate the elapsed time: 2023 - 956 = 1067
Convert 1067 into Roman numerals: 1000 (M) + 60 (LX) + 7 (VII) = MLXVII
A library has a collection of CMLVI manuscripts and decides to digitize a hundred each year. How many years will it take to digitize all the manuscripts? Write the answer in Roman numerals.
It will take X years to digitize all the manuscripts.
Convert the total number of manuscripts from Roman numerals:
CMLVI = 956
Divide by the annual digitization rate: 956 ÷ 100 = 9.56
Since you can't have a fraction of a year, round up to 10 Convert 10 into Roman numerals: 10 = X
Convert CMLVI into its decimal form.
In decimal form, CMLVI is 956.
Break CMLVI into components:
CM = 900 (1000 - 100)
L = 50
VI = 6 (V + I)
Add the values: 900 + 50 + 6 = 956
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.