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 MCMIV.
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. MCMIV in Roman numerals can be written in number form by adding and subtracting the values of each Roman numeral, i.e., MCMIV = 1904.
Let us learn more about the Roman numeral MCMIV, 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 smaller symbol precedes a larger 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 MCMIV 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 or subtracting 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 or subtract the numerals together. For MCMIV,
Step 1: First we break the Roman numerals. MCMIV = M + CM + IV
Step 2: Write the Roman Numerals for each part The Roman Numeral M is 1000 The Roman Numeral CM is 900 The Roman Numeral IV is 4
Step 3: Combine all the numbers M + CM + IV = 1000 + 900 + 4 = 1904. Therefore, the Roman Numeral MCMIV is 1904.
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 MCMIV.
Step 1: The larger Roman numerals are what we will begin with. Once split, the Roman numerals we get are M, CM, and IV. The numeral for M is 1000.
Step 2: Now we need to either add or subtract the smaller number, depending on its place. Here we add CM (900) and IV (4) to M, and we will get MCMIV. Therefore, the numeral of MCMIV is 1904.
Students can make mistakes when studying Roman numerals. Here are a few common mistakes students make, and ways to avoid them.
Calculate the sum of MCMIV and DCCC. Provide your answer in Roman numerals.
The sum is MMCMIV
Convert the Roman numerals into their decimal forms: MCMIV = 1904
DCCC = 800
Add the numbers together: 1904 + 800 = 2704
Convert the sum back into Roman numerals: 2704 = 2000 (MM) + 900 (CM) + 4 (IV) = MMCMIV
What is the difference between MCMIV and CDXLIV? Provide your answer in Roman numerals.
The difference is MDLX
Convert the Roman numerals into their decimal forms: MCMIV = 1904
CDXLIV = 444
Subtract the numbers: 1904 - 444 = 1460
Convert the result back into Roman numerals: 1460 = 1000 (M) + 500 (D) + 50 (L) + 10 (X) = MDLX
Divide MCMIV by 4 and express the result in Roman numerals.
CDLXXVI
Convert MCMIV into its decimal form: MCMIV = 1904
Divide by 4: 1904 / 4 = 476
Convert 476 into Roman numerals: 476 = 400 (CD) + 50 (L) + 20 (XX) + 6 (VI) = CDLXXVI
Find the product of MCMIV and III.
The product is DLXII
Convert MCMIV and III into numbers: MCMIV = 1904
III = 3
Multiply the numbers: 1904 × 3 = 5712
Convert the product into Roman numerals: 5712 = 5000 (MMMMM) + 700 (DCC) + 10 (X) + 2 (II) = DLXII
Convert MCMIV into its decimal form.
In decimal form, MCMIV is 1904
Break MCMIV into components: M = 1000
CM = 900 (1000 - 100)
IV = 4 (5 - 1)
Add the values together: 1000 + 900 + 4 = 1904
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.