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 MCMXXXVI.
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.
MCMXXXVI in Roman numerals can be written in number form by adding the values of each Roman numeral, i.e. MCMXXXVI = 1936. Let us learn more about the Roman numeral MCMXXXVI, 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.
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 MCMXXXVI 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 MCMXXXVI,
Step 1: First we break the Roman numerals. MCMXXXVI = M + CM + XXX + VI
Step 2: Write the Roman Numerals for each part The Roman Numeral M is 1000 The Roman Numeral CM is 900 The Roman Numeral XXX is 30 The Roman Numeral VI is 6
Step 3: Combine all the numbers M + CM + XXX + VI = 1000 + 900 + 30 + 6 = 1936.
Therefore, the Roman Numeral MCMXXXVI is 1936.
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 MCMXXXVI.
Step 1: The larger Roman numerals are what we will begin with. Once split, the Roman numerals we get are M, CM, XXX, and VI.
The numeral for M is 1000 The numeral for CM is 900 The numeral for XXX is 30 The numeral for VI is 6
Step 2: Now we need to either add or subtract the smaller number, depending on its place. Here we add them together: M + CM + XXX + VI.
Therefore, the numeral of MCMXXXVI is 1936.
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 MCMXXXVI and CLX. Write the answer in Roman numerals.
The sum is MMXCVII
Convert both Roman numerals into their decimal form:
MCMXXXVI = 1936
CLX = 160
Now add both numbers: 1936 + 160 = 2096
Now convert the number into its Roman numeral: 2096 = 2000 (MM) + 90 (XC) + 6 (VI) = MMXCVII
What is the difference between MMX and MCMXXXVI? Write in Roman numerals.
The difference is LXXIV
Convert the Roman numerals into their decimal form:
MMX = 2010
MCMXXXVI = 1936
Now subtract the numbers: 2010 - 1936 = 74
Convert the number into its Roman numeral: 74 = 50 (L) + 10 (X) + 10 (X) + 4 (IV) = LXXIV
Divide MCMXXXVI by 4 and write the answer in Roman numerals.
CDLXXXIV
Convert MCMXXXVI into its decimal form:
MCMXXXVI = 1936
Divide by 4: 1936 / 4 = 484
Write 484 in Roman numerals: 484 = 400 (CD) + 80 (LXXX) + 4 (IV) = CDLXXXIV
Find the product of MCMXXXVI and III.
The product is VMDCCCVIII
Write MCMXXXVI and III in numbers:
MCMXXXVI = 1936
III = 3
Multiply the numbers: 1936 × 3 = 5808
Convert 5808 into its Roman numerals: 5000 (V) + 800 (DCCC) + 8 (VIII) = VMDCCCVIII
Convert MCMXXXVI into its decimal form.
In decimal form, MCMXXXVI is 1936
Break MCMXXXVI into components:
MCM = 1000 (M) + 900 (CM) XXXVI = 10 (X) + 10 (X) + 10 (X) + 5 (V) + 1 (I)
Add values: 1000 + 900 + 30 + 6 = 1936
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.