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 MCMXCVII.
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. MCMXCVII in Roman numerals can be written in number form by adding the values of each Roman numeral, i.e. MCMXCVII = 1997.
Let us learn more about the Roman numeral MCMXCVII, 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 MCMXCVII 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 MCMXCVII,
Step 1: First, we break the Roman numerals. MCMXCVII = M + CM + XC + VII
Step 2: Write the Roman Numerals for each part The Roman Numeral M is 1000 The Roman Numeral CM is 900 The Roman Numeral XC is 90 The Roman Numeral VII is 7
Step 3: Combine all the numbers M + CM + XC + VII = 1000 + 900 + 90 + 7 = 1997. Therefore, the Roman Numeral MCMXCVII is 1997.
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 MCMXCVII.
Step 1: The larger Roman numerals are what we will begin with. Once split, the Roman numerals we get are M, CM, XC, and VII. The numeral for M is 1000 The numeral for CM is 900 The numeral for XC is 90
Step 2: Now we need to either add or subtract the smaller number, depending on its place.
Here we add VII to MCMXC and we will get MCMXCVII. The Roman numeral VII is 7 Therefore, the numeral of MCMXCVII is 1997.
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 MCMXCVII + DCCVII. Write the answer in Roman numerals.
The sum is MMDCIV
Convert both Roman numerals into their decimal form:
MCMXCVII = 1997
DCCVII = 707
Now add both numbers: 1997 + 707 = 2704
Now convert the number into its Roman numeral: 2704 = 2000 (MM) + 700 (DCC) + 4 (IV) = MMDCIV
What is the difference between MCMXCVII - DCCCCLIV? Write in Roman numerals.
The difference is MXCIII
Convert the Roman numerals into their decimal form:
MCMXCVII = 1997
DCCCCLIV = 954
Now we subtract the numbers: 1997 - 954 = 1043
Convert the number into its Roman numeral: 1043 = 1000 (M) + 40 (XL) + 3 (III) = MXCIII
Divide MCMXCVII by 3 and write the answer in Roman numerals.
DCLXV is the result of dividing MCMXCVII by 3
Convert MCMXCVII into its decimal form:
MCMXCVII = 1997
Divide by 3: 1997 / 3 = 665
Write 665 in Roman numerals: 665 = 600 (DC) + 60 (LX) + 5 (V) = DCLXV
Find the product of MCMXCVII and II.
MMMCMXCIV is the product of MCMXCVII and II.
Write MCMXCVII and II in numbers:
MCMXCVII = 1997
II = 2
Multiply the numbers: 1997 × 2 = 3994
Convert 3994 into its Roman numerals: 3000 (MMM) + 900 (CM) + 90 (XC) + 4 (IV) = MMMCMXCIV
Convert MCMXCVII into its decimal form.
In decimal form, MCMXCVII is 1997
Break MCMXCVII into components:
M = 1000
CM = 900 (1000 - 100)
XC = 90 (100 - 10)
VII = 7 (5 + 1 + 1)
Add values: 1000 + 900 + 90 + 7 = 1997
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.