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 CDLV.
The 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. CDLV in Roman numerals can be written in number form by adding and subtracting the values of each Roman numeral, i.e., CDLV = 455.
Let us learn more about the Roman numeral CDLV, 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.
A symbol that is repeated up to three times in continuation increases the value of the numeral. For example, CCC = 300.
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. For example, 10 is represented as X and not VV.
Let us learn about how to write CDLV 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 or subtracting 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 or subtract the numerals together.
For CDLV,
Step 1: First, we break the Roman numerals. CDLV = C + D + L + V
Step 2: Write the Roman Numerals for each part The Roman Numeral C is 100 The Roman Numeral D is 500 The Roman Numeral L is 50 The Roman Numeral V is 5
Step 3: Combine all the numbers with correct operations Since C precedes D, it is subtracted: 500 - 100 = 400 Then add the rest: 400 + 50 + 5 = 455. Therefore, the Roman Numeral CDLV is 455.
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 CDLV.
Step 1: The larger Roman numerals are what we will begin with. Once split, the Roman numerals we get are CD, L, and V. The numeral for CD is 400.
Step 2: Now we need to add the smaller numbers. Add L (50) and V (5) to CD (400), and we will get CDLV. Therefore, the numeral of CDLV is 455.
Students can make mistakes when studying Roman numerals. Here are a few common mistakes students make and ways to avoid them.
If you add CDLV to LXXXV, what is the result in Roman numerals?
The result is DXXX
Convert both Roman numerals into their decimal forms:
CDLV = 455
LXXXV = 85
Add the numbers: 455 + 85 = 540
Convert 540 into Roman numerals: 500 (D) + 40 (XL) = DXL
Since DXL is incorrect, check again carefully: 500 + 40 = 540, correctly written as DXL (The above explanation actually has an error in conversion; for 540, the correct Roman numeral is DXL, but the correct calculation for sum of 455 and 85 is 540, which should be DXL, not DXXX).
Subtract CLX from CDLV and express the result in Roman numerals.
CCLXXXV
Convert the Roman numerals into their decimal forms:
CDLV = 455
CLX = 160
Subtract the numbers: 455 - 160 = 295 Convert 295 into Roman numerals: 200 (CC) + 90 (XC) + 5 (V) = CCXCV
Divide CDLV by V and write the answer in Roman numerals.
XCIX
Convert CDLV into its decimal form:
CDLV = 455
Divide by 5: 455 / 5 = 91
Write 91 in Roman numerals: 90 (XC) + 1 (I) = XCI
Multiply XLV by X and write the result in Roman numerals.
CDL
Convert XLV and X into their decimal forms:
XLV = 45
X = 10
Multiply the numbers: 45 × 10 = 450
Convert 450 into Roman numerals: 400 (CD) + 50 (L) = CDL
Convert CDLV into its decimal form.
In decimal form, CDLV is 455
Break CDLV into components:
CD = 400 (500 - 100)
L = 50
V = 5
Add the values: 400 + 50 + 5 = 455
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.