Last updated on May 26th, 2025
Roman numerals are a way of expressing numbers using symbols: I, V, X, L, C, D, and M. Roman numerals are used in royal titles, book names, sequences, and more. Here we will discuss Roman numerals, their rules, and examples.
Royal titles, such as Henry I, Henry II, and so on, use Roman numerals. Have you noticed these symbols and wondered what they represent?
Those are Roman numerals. In ancient times, people used fingers, sticks, bones, etc., to count. As life became more complex, a standard form was required. Ancient Romans used the Roman numeral system for counting. I (1), V (5), X (10), L (50), C (100), D (500), and M (1000) are the symbols used for counting.
In Roman numerals, we use MMX to represent 2010, where MM is 2000 and X is 10. Let’s learn more about Roman numerals and how we write them.
There are certain basic rules to write a number in Roman numerals. In this section, let’s discuss some basic rules that need to be remembered when writing a number in Roman numerals.
The addition method is used when the smaller number is placed after the larger number. For example, MMX → MM + X → 2000 + 10 = 2010
To write a large number, certain Roman numerals can be repeated up to three times. III → 3.
If a smaller number precedes a larger number in Roman numerals, we subtract the smaller from the larger. For example, IX → X - I → 10 - 1 = 9
Symbols cannot be repeated more than three times, and some symbols like V, L, and D cannot be repeated. For example, we won't write VV for 10; instead, we use X, and for 8, we use VIII, not IIIIIIII.
Let’s learn how to write 2010 in Roman numerals. Follow these methods to write the number in Roman numerals:
In the expansion method, based on place value, the number is broken down. In this section, we will learn how to write 2010 in Roman numerals using the expansion method.
To write 2010 in Roman numerals, follow these steps:
Step 1: Break the number based on place value: ones, tens, hundreds, etc.
For 2010, we write it as 2000 + 10
Step 2: Convert the number into Roman numerals:
2000 in Roman numerals — MM
10 in Roman numerals — X
Step 3: Combine the Roman numerals together.
Therefore, 2010 in Roman numerals is MM (2000) + X (10) = MMX
When writing a large number in Roman numerals, we group the number.
To write 2010 in Roman numerals, we group 2010 as 2000 + 10.
2000 in Roman numerals — MM
10 in Roman numerals — X
So, 2010 is written as MMX in Roman numerals.
Students often make mistakes when writing numbers in Roman numerals. To master Roman numerals, we can learn a few common mistakes and ways to avoid them.
Determine the difference between MMX and MCMXC.
The difference between MMX and MCMXC is XX.
First, convert the Roman numerals to numbers.
MMX is 2010 and MCMXC is 1990.
The difference is 2010 - 1990 = 20.
In Roman numerals, 20 is XX.
A historian found pages of an ancient manuscript labeled MMX. If the total pages are MMM, how many pages are still missing?
The number of missing pages is CMXC.
First, convert the Roman numerals to numbers.
MMX is 2010 and MMM is 3000.
The missing pages are 3000 - 2010 = 990.
In Roman numerals, 990 is CMXC.
Add the Roman numerals MD and DXV and express the result in Roman numerals.
The sum of MD and DXV is MMXV.
First, convert the Roman numerals to numbers. MD is 1500 and DXV is 515.
The sum is 1500 + 515 = 2015.
In Roman numerals, 2015 is MMXV.
A collector has MMX coins and wants to distribute them equally into C boxes. How many coins will each box contain?
Each box will contain XX coins.
First, convert the Roman numerals to numbers.
MMX is 2010 and C is 100.
Divide 2010 by 100 to get 20.
In Roman numerals, 20 is XX.
Calculate the sum of the Roman numerals MX and M, and provide the result in Roman numerals.
The sum of MX and M is MMX.
First, convert the Roman numerals to numbers.
MX is 1010 and M is 1000.
The sum is 1010 + 1000 = 2010.
In Roman numerals, 2010 is MMX.
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.