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Last updated on February 27th, 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 XVII.
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. XVII in Roman numerals can be written in number form by adding the values of each Roman numeral, i.e., XVII = 17.
Let us learn more about the Roman numeral XVII, 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 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 XVII 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 XVII,
Step 1: First we break the Roman numerals. XVII = X + V + I + I
Step 2: Write the Roman Numerals for each part The Roman Numeral X is 10 The Roman Numeral V is 5 The Roman Numeral I is 1
Step 3: Combine all the numbers X + V + I + I = 10 + 5 + 1 + 1 = 17. Therefore, the Roman Numeral XVII is 17.
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 XVII.
Step 1: The larger Roman numerals are what we will begin with. Once split, the Roman numerals we get are XV and II. The numeral for XV is 15
Step 2: Now we need to either add or subtract the smaller number, depending on its place. Here we add II to XV and we will get XVII. The Roman numeral II is 2 Therefore, the numeral of XVII is 17.
Students can make mistakes when studying Roman numerals. Here are a few common mistakes students make, and ways to avoid them.
If you add XVII and IX, what will be the result in Roman numerals?
The sum is XXVI
Convert both Roman numerals into their decimal form:
XVII = 17
IX = 9
Add both numbers: 17 + 9 = 26
Convert the number into its Roman numeral: 26 = 20 + 6 = XXVI
Subtract V from XVII and express the answer in Roman numerals.
The difference is XII
Convert the Roman numerals into decimal form:
XVII = 17
V = 5
Subtract the numbers: 17 - 5 = 12
Convert the number into its Roman numeral: 12 = 10 + 2 = XII
Multiply XVII by III and write the answer in Roman numerals.
LI
Convert XVII and III into decimal form:
XVII = 17
III = 3
Multiply the numbers: 17 × 3 = 51
Convert 51 into its Roman numeral: 50 (L) + 1 (I) = LI
Divide LXVIII by IV and write the answer in Roman numerals.
XVII
Convert LXVIII into decimal form: LXVIII = 68
Convert IV into decimal form: IV = 4
Divide the numbers: 68 ÷ 4 = 17
Convert 17 into its Roman numeral: 17 = 10 + 5 + 2 = XVII
Convert XVII into its decimal form.
In decimal form, XVII is 17
Break XVII into components:
X = 10
V = 5
II = 2
Add values: 10 + 5 + 2 = 17
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.