Roman Numerals 1 to 4000

Roman Numerals use symbols to represent number systems. Ancient Romans used the letters I, V, X, L, C, D, and M to represent the number system. The unavailability of zero at that time and the lack of other mathematical operations made the Roman Numerals obsolete in recent times. For example, we write 1500 as MD.

Roman numbers are used today in clocks, chapters in books, classrooms, etc. The following chart helps us to understand the numerals better.

List of Roman Numerals 1 to 4000

The list of Roman Numerals provides an organized way to understand how those letters combine to represent a number. The given list starts from I (1) to M (1000). Learning these numerals helps you in a deeper understanding of the numerical system.

Roman Numerals from 1 to 1000

Roman Numerals from 1001 to 2000

Roman Numerals from 2001 to 3000

Roman Numerals from 3001 to 4000

Roman Numerals rely on specific symbols, and it has rules of addition and subtraction. The basic symbols in Roman Numerals are:

• I = 1
• V = 5
• X = 10
• L = 50
• C = 100
• D = 500
• M = 1000

Using the above symbols, we can combine the Roman Numerals for the numbers easily. There are two basic methods of writing Roman Numerals, they are:
 

• Expansion Method
• Grouping Method
   

Expansion Method

Through the expansion method, we break down the numbers into thousands, hundreds, tens, and one's parts and then convert them into numerals.

Step 1: Break the numbers into thousands, hundreds, tens, and ones.

Step 2: Write Roman Numerals for each part.

Step 3: Combine all the parts to get the numerals.


Example: For the number 1989.
 

Step 1: Break the numbers 1000 + 900 + 80 + 9 = 1989

Step 2: Add Roman Numerals for each part

• The Roman Numeral of 1000 is M.
• The Roman Numeral of 900 is CM.
• The Roman Numeral of 80 is LXXX.
• The Roman Numeral of 9 is IX.

Step 3: Combine all the parts 1000 (M) + 900 (CM) + 80 (LXXX) + 9 (IX) = MCMLXXXIX. Therefore, the Roman Numeral of 1989 is MCMLXXXIX.

Grouping Method

Grouping method directly from the number by combining Roman Numeral symbols directly. It uses addition and subtraction rules.

Step 1: Start writing numerals for the largest number.

Step 2: Smaller numbers are either getting added or subtracted. Following the rule of adding and subtraction is mandatory.

• Addition: smaller numeral after the larger numeral.
• Subtraction: smaller numeral before the large numeral.

Example: For the number 142.

Step 1: Start with the larger numbers. While splitting, we will get 100, 40, and 2.  The Roman Numeral of 100 is C 

Step 2: Add or subtract the smaller number If we add 40 and 2 to 100 it will become 142. The Roman Numeral of 40 is XL The Roman Numeral of 2 is II Therefore, the Roman Numeral of 142 is CXLII.

Roman Numerals follow rules to make sure the number is written correctly. Here are some main rules given below:

• Rule 1: Addition Method
• Rule 2: Repetition Method
• Rule 3: Subtraction Method
• Rule 4: Limitation Rule
   

Rule 1: Addition Method

In Roman Numerals, if the smaller numeral comes after the large numeral, then we need to add their values.

Example: If the given number is XII.

We can see that the number X refers to 10 and the other number refers to 2. So in this, the smaller numeral is after the large numeral, so we need to add the 10 and 2 to get the value 12.

Rule 2: Repetition Method

The Roman Numeral can be repeated up to three times to increase its value. The numbers cannot be repeated after three times. Only symbols like I, X, C, and M can be repeated and V, L, and D cannot be repeated.

Example: XXX = 10 + 10 + 10 = 30 repeating the numeral X for the fourth time is not allowed.


Rule 3: Subtraction Method

If the smaller numeral comes before the large numeral, then we need to subtract the smaller numeral from the larger numeral to get the number. There are three rules in subtraction, they are: I can be subtracted from V and X. X can be subtracted from L and C. C can be subtracted from D and M.

Example: In the number IV.

Here, V is the biggest numeral and I is the smallest numeral. As we see that the smaller numeral is before the larger numeral, we need to subtract to get the number. V (5) - I (1) = IV (4).


Rule 4: Limitation Rule

Roman Numerals consist of several limitations, they are: A numeral cannot be repeated more than three times. For example, III (3) cannot be repeated more than 3 times, instead we use IV for writing 4.

Subtraction cannot be done with the non-pair numbers. For example, XI here X (10) - I(1) gives IX is applicable but IC, C (100) - I(1) is not applicable.

Only one subtraction can be allowed in one numeral. For example, XL (40), L (50) - X (10) is applicable to get 40 but XXL is not applicable to get the number 30.

Roman Numerals are fun to learn and easy to write when you know the following tips and tricks:

• Memorize the basic symbols like I (1), V (5), X (10), L (50), C (100), D (500), and M (1000), to write and read the other numerals easily.
   
• Always break the big numerals into smaller parts to make it easier to read and write.
   
• Remember the repetition rule, a number should not be added more than three times.
   
• Practice the smaller numerals and gradually move to the bigger values.
   
• We use numerals in clocks, classrooms, etc., and try to read from the numeral clock to make numerals easy to learn.

• Breaking Numbers: It is the process of splitting a larger number into smaller parts. For example, For multiplying 2500 we can divide 2000 as 2000 + 500.
   
• Repetition: Using the same symbols more than once. For example, MMM.
   
• Numerical System: The numbers, used in ancient Rome, used Latin letters rather than digits. For example, I, II, III, etc.
   
• Addition Method: A technique in Roman Numerals where smaller numerals after larger ones are added together. For example, VI where V + I = 6.
   
• Subtraction Method: A technique in Roman Numerals where smaller numerals before larger ones are subtracted. For example, IX where X - I = 9.