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 MDCCCXX.
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.
MDCCCXX in Roman numerals can be written in number form by adding the values of each Roman numeral, i.e. MDCCCXX = 1820. Let us learn more about the Roman numeral MDCCCXX, 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 MDCCCXX 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 MDCCCXX,
Step 1: First we break the Roman numerals. MDCCCXX = M + D + C + C + C + X + X
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 X is 10
Step 3: Combine all the numbers M + D + C + C + C + X + X = 1000 + 500 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 10 + 10 = 1820.
Therefore, the Roman Numeral MDCCCXX is 1820.
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 MDCCCXX.
Step 1: The larger Roman numerals are what we will begin with. Once split, the Roman numerals we get are M, DCCC, and XX. 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 XX to MDCCC and we will get MDCCCXX. The Roman numeral XX is 20
Therefore, the numeral of MDCCCXX is 1820.
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 MDCCCXX + CC. Provide the answer in Roman numerals.
The sum is MMXX.
Convert both Roman numerals into their decimal form:
MDCCCXX = 1820
CC = 200
Add both numbers: 1820 + 200 = 2020
Convert the number back into Roman numerals: 2020 = 2000 (MM) + 20 (XX) = MMXX
What is the difference between MDCCCXX and DC? Write the answer in Roman numerals.
The difference is MCCXX.
Convert the Roman numerals into their decimal form:
MDCCCXX = 1820
DC = 600
Subtract the numbers: 1820 - 600 = 1220
Convert the number into Roman numerals: 1220 = 1000 (M) + 200 (CC) + 20 (XX) = MCCXX
Divide MDCCCXX by II and express the result in Roman numerals.
CMX is the result.
Convert MDCCCXX into its decimal form:
MDCCCXX = 1820
Divide by 2: 1820 / 2 = 910
Convert 910 into Roman numerals: 910 = 900 (CM) + 10 (X) = CMX
What is the product of MDCCCXX and III? Provide the answer in Roman numerals.
The product is VDLX.
Convert MDCCCXX and III into decimal form:
MDCCCXX = 1820
III = 3
Multiply the numbers: 1820 × 3 = 5460
Convert 5460 into Roman numerals: 5000 (V) + 400 (CD) + 60 (LX) = VDLX
Convert MDCCCXX into its decimal form.
In decimal form, MDCCCXX is 1820.
Break MDCCCXX into components:
M = 1000
DCCC = 800 (D + C + C + C)
XX = 20 (X + X)
Add values: 1000 + 800 + 20 = 1820
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.