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 MDCCCXC.
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.
MDCCCXC in Roman numerals can be written in number form by adding the values of each Roman numeral, i.e. MDCCCXC = 1890. Let us learn more about the Roman numeral MDCCCXC, 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 MDCCCXC 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 MDCCCXC,
Step 1: First we break the Roman numerals. MDCCCXC = M + D + C + C + C + XC
Step 2: Write the Roman Numerals for each part
The Roman Numeral M is 1000
The Roman Numeral D is 500
The Roman Numeral C is 100
The Roman Numeral XC is 90
Step 3: Combine all the numbers M + D + C + C + C + XC = 1000 + 500 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 90 = 1890.
Therefore, the Roman Numeral MDCCCXC is 1890.
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 MDCCCXC.
Step 1: The larger Roman numerals are what we will begin with. Once split, the Roman numerals we get are M, DCCC, and XC. The numeral for M is 1000 The numeral for DCCC is 800
Step 2: Now we need to either add or subtract the smaller number, depending on its place. Here we add DCCC to M and then add XC. The Roman numeral XC is 90
Therefore, the numeral of MDCCCXC is 1890.
Students can make mistakes when studying Roman numerals. Here are a few common mistakes students make, and ways to avoid them.
Add MDCCCXC to L and express the answer in Roman numerals.
The sum is MCMXL
Convert both Roman numerals into their decimal form:
MDCCCXC = 1890
L = 50
Now add both numbers: 1890 + 50 = 1940
Convert 1940 into Roman numerals: 1940 = 1000 (M) + 900 (CM) + 40 (XL) = MCMXL
What is the difference between MM and MDCCCXC? Write in Roman numerals.
The difference is CX
Convert the Roman numerals into their decimal form:
MM = 2000
MDCCCXC = 1890
Now subtract the numbers: 2000 - 1890 = 110
Convert 110 into Roman numerals: 110 = 100 (C) + 10 (X) = CX
Divide MDCCCXC by III and write the answer in Roman numerals.
DCXXX
Convert MDCCCXC into its decimal form:
MDCCCXC = 1890
Divide by 3: 1890 ÷ 3 = 630
Write 630 in Roman numerals: 630 = 500 (D) + 100 (C) + 30 (XXX) = DCXXX
Find the product of MDCCCXC and II.
MMMDCCCLXXX is the product of MDCCCXC and II.
Write MDCCCXC and II in numbers:
MDCCCXC = 1890
II = 2
Multiply the numbers: 1890 × 2 = 3780
Convert 3780 into Roman numerals: 3780 = 3000 (MMM) + 700 (DCC) + 80 (LXXX) = MMMDCCCLXXX
Convert MDCCCXC into its decimal form.
In decimal form, MDCCCXC is 1890
Break MDCCCXC into components:
M = 1000
DCCC = 800 (D + C + C + C)
XC = 90 (X before C)
Add values: 1000 + 800 + 90 = 1890
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.