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 DCXCIV.
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. DCXCIV in Roman numerals can be written in number form by adding and subtracting the values of each Roman numeral, i.e., DCXCIV = 694.
Let us learn more about the Roman numeral DCXCIV, 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 VIII, we have 5 + 3 = 8.
A symbol that is repeated up to three times in continuation increases the value of the numeral. For example, XXX = 30.
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 more than once. For example, 10 is represented as X and not VV.
Let us learn about how to write DCXCIV 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 DCXCIV,
Step 1: First, we break the Roman numerals. DCXCIV = D + C + XC + IV
Step 2: Write the Roman Numerals for each part The Roman Numeral D is 500 The Roman Numeral C is 100 The Roman Numeral XC is 90 The Roman Numeral IV is 4
Step 3: Combine all the numbers D + C + XC + IV = 500 + 100 + 90 + 4 = 694. Therefore, the Roman Numeral DCXCIV is 694.
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 DCXCIV.
Step 1: The larger Roman numerals are what we will begin with. Once split, the Roman numerals we get are D, C, XC, and IV. The numeral for D is 500 The numeral for C is 100
Step 2: Now we need to either add or subtract the smaller number, depending on its place.
Here we add C, XC, and IV to D and we will get DCXCIV. The numeral for C is 100 The numeral for XC is 90 The numeral for IV is 4 Therefore, the numeral of DCXCIV is 694.
Students can make mistakes when studying Roman numerals. Here are a few common mistakes students make, and ways to avoid them.
What is the result when you subtract CL from DCXCIV? Write your answer in Roman numerals.
The result is DXLIV
Convert both Roman numerals into decimal form:
DCXCIV = 694
CL = 150
Now subtract the numbers: 694 - 150 = 544
Convert 544 into Roman numerals: 500 (D) + 40 (XL) + 4 (IV) = DXLIV
If you add CC to DCXCIV, what is the sum in Roman numerals?
The sum is DCCCXCIV
Convert the Roman numerals into decimal form:
DCXCIV = 694
CC = 200
Add the numbers, 694 + 200 = 894
Convert 894 into Roman numerals: 800 (DCCC) + 90 (XC) + 4 (IV) = DCCCXCIV
Divide DCXCIV by II and express the answer in Roman numerals.
CCCXLVII
Convert DCXCIV into its decimal form:
DCXCIV = 694
Divide by 2: 694 / 2 = 347
Convert 347 into Roman numerals: 300 (CCC) + 40 (XL) + 7 (VII) = CCCXLVII
Multiply DCXCIV by I and write the answer in Roman numerals.
The product is DCXCIV
Write DCXCIV and I in numbers:
DCXCIV = 694
I = 1
Multiply the numbers: 694 × 1 = 694
Convert 694 back to Roman numerals: 600 (DC) + 90 (XC) + 4 (IV) = DCXCIV
Convert DCXCIV into its decimal form.
In decimal form, DCXCIV is 694
Break DCXCIV into components:
DC = 600 (D + C)
XC = 90
IV = 4
Add values: 600 + 90 + 4 = 694
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.