Last updated on May 26th, 2025
Roman numerals are a way of expressing numbers using specific symbols: I, V, X, L, C, D, and M. They are often used in royal titles, book names, sequences, and more. Here, we will discuss Roman numerals, their rules, and examples.
Have you ever seen royal titles or old books with numbers like Henry VIII or Chapter X and wondered what the symbols represent?
Those are Roman numerals. In ancient times, people counted using fingers, sticks, and other simple tools. As civilization advanced, a standard numeric system was needed, leading to the development of Roman numerals by the Romans.
The symbols used are I (1), V (5), X (10), L (50), C (100), D (500), and M (1000). In Roman numerals, 832 is represented as DCCCXXXII. Here, D is 500, CCC is 300, XXX is 30, and II is 2. Let’s delve deeper into Roman numerals and how they are constructed.
There are certain basic rules for writing numbers in Roman numerals. In this section, let’s discuss some fundamental guidelines to remember.
When a smaller numeral is placed after a larger numeral, the values are added.
For example, DCCCXXXII → D (500) + CCC (300) + XXX (30) + II (2) = 832.
Some Roman numerals can be repeated up to three times to represent values. For example, CCC → 300.
When a smaller numeral precedes a larger numeral, the smaller value is subtracted from the larger one. For example, XC → 100 - 10 = 90.
Symbols cannot be repeated more than three times, and certain symbols like V, L, and D are never repeated. For instance, 10 is written as X and not VV.
Let’s learn how to write 832 in Roman numerals using different methods. By Expansion Method By Grouping Method
In the expansion method, the number is broken down based on place value. Here's how to write 832 in Roman numerals using this method:
Step 1: Break the number based on place value: hundreds, tens, and ones. For 832, we write it as 800 + 30 + 2.
Step 2: Convert each part into Roman numerals. 800 in Roman numerals — DCCC 30 in Roman numerals — XXX 2 in Roman numerals — II
Step 3: Combine the Roman numerals together. Therefore, 832 in Roman numerals is DCCC (800) + XXX (30) + II (2) = DCCCXXXII
When writing a large number in Roman numerals, we group the number.
To write 832 in Roman numerals, we group 832 as 800 + 30 + 2.
800 in Roman numerals — DCCC
30 in Roman numerals — XXX
2 in Roman numerals — II
So, 832 is written as DCCCXXXII in Roman numerals.
Students often make mistakes when writing numbers in Roman numerals. To master Roman numerals, we can learn from a few common errors and ways to avoid them.
A historian finds two ancient scrolls, one marked with the year DCCCLXX and another with the year XLII. What is the sum of these two years in Roman numerals?
The sum of the years DCCCLXX and XLII is CMXII
DCCCLXX = 870 and XLII = 42.
The sum of 870 + 42 = 912.
912 in Roman numerals is CMXII.
An archaeologist discovers a set of DCCCXXXII coins and wants to distribute them evenly among VIII friends. How many coins does each friend receive, in Roman numerals?
Each friend receives CIII coins.
To find the number of coins each friend gets, divide the total number of coins by the number of friends:
DCCCXXXII / VIII.
DCCCXXXII = 832 and VIII = 8.
Therefore, 832 / 8 = 104.
104 in Roman numerals is CIII.
A collector has a treasure chest containing DCCCXXXII gems and finds an additional XLVIII gems in a hidden compartment. How many gems are there in total?
The total number of gems is DCCCLXXX.
DCCCXXXII = 832 and XLVIII = 48.
The total number of gems is 832 + 48 = 880.
880 in Roman numerals is DCCCLXXX.
A craftsman is creating a mosaic using DCCCXXXII tiles. After completing a section, he realizes he has used DLXXXIX tiles. How many tiles does he have left?
The number of tiles left is CCXLIII.
DCCCXXXII = 832 and DLXXXIX = 589.
The number of tiles left is 832 - 589 = 243.
243 in Roman numerals is CCXLIII.
A teacher wants students to write the Roman numeral for the result of subtracting CXX from DCCCXXXII. What should the students write?
The result is DCCXII.
DCCCXXXII = 832 and CXX = 120.
The result of subtracting 120 from 832 is 712.
712 in Roman numerals is DCCXII.
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.