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 MDXX.
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. MDXX in Roman numerals can be written in number form by adding the values of each Roman numeral, i.e., MDXX = 1520.
Let us learn more about the Roman numeral MDXX, 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 VI, we have 5 + 1 = 6.
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, not VV.
Let us learn about how to write MDXX 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 involves breaking down 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 MDXX,
Step 1: First, we break the Roman numerals. MDXX = M + D + 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 X is 10
Step 3: Combine all the numbers M + D + X + X = 1000 + 500 + 10 + 10 = 1520. Therefore, the Roman Numeral MDXX is 1520.
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 MDXX.
Step 1: The larger Roman numerals are what we will begin with. Once split, the Roman numerals we get are M and DXX. The numeral for M is 1000 The numeral for DXX is 520
Step 2: Add these groups to get the final number. M + DXX = 1000 + 520 = 1520. Therefore, the numeral of MDXX is 1520.
Students can make mistakes when studying Roman numerals. Here are a few common mistakes students make, and ways to avoid them.
Determine the sum of MDXX and CCCL. Write the answer using Roman numerals.
The sum is MDCCLXX
Convert the Roman numerals into their decimal forms:
MDXX = 1520
CCCL = 350
Add the numbers: 1520 + 350 = 1870
Now convert 1870 into Roman numerals: 1870 = 1000 (M) + 800 (DCCC) + 70 (LXX) = MDCCLXX
What is the difference between MDXX and CCLX? Write it in Roman numerals.
The difference is MCCLX
Convert the Roman numerals into their decimal forms:
MDXX = 1520
CCLX = 260
Subtract the numbers: 1520 - 260 = 1260
Convert 1260 into Roman numerals: 1260 = 1000 (M) + 200 (CC) + 60 (LX) = MCCLX
Divide MCCCXL by 4 and express the result in Roman numerals.
CCCXXXV
Convert MCCCXL into its decimal form:
MCCCXL = 1340
Divide by 4: 1340 / 4 = 335
Convert 335 into Roman numerals: 335 = 300 (CCC) + 30 (XXX) + 5 (V) = CCCXXXV
Calculate the product of MDXX and IV.
The product of MDXX and IV is DCXXX
Convert MDXX and IV into numbers:
MDXX = 1520
IV = 4
Multiply the numbers: 1520 × 4 = 6080
Convert 6080 into Roman numerals: 6080 = 6000 (MMMMM) + 80 (LXXX) = MMMMMLXXX
Convert MDXX into its decimal form.
In decimal form, MDXX is 1520
Break MDXX into components:
M = 1000
D = 500
XX = 20 (X + X)
Add values: 1000 + 500 + 20 = 1520
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.