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 MDCCLX.
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. S
even 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.
MDCCLX in Roman numerals can be written in number form by adding the values of each Roman numeral, i.e. MDCCLX = 1760. Let us learn more about the Roman numeral MDCCLX, 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 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 MDCCLX 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 MDCCLX,
Step 1: First we break the Roman numerals. MDCCLX = M + D + C + C + L + X
Step 2: Write the Roman Numerals for each part
The Roman Numeral M is 1000
The Roman Numeral D is 500
The Roman Numeral C is 100
The Roman Numeral L is 50
The Roman Numeral X is 10
Step 3: Combine all the numbers M + D + C + C + L + X = 1000 + 500 + 100 + 100 + 50 + 10 = 1760.
Therefore, the Roman Numeral MDCCLX is 1760.
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 MDCCLX.
Step 1: The larger Roman numerals are what we will begin with. Once split, the Roman numerals we get are M, D, CC, L, and X. The numeral for M is 1000
Step 2: Now we need to either add or subtract the smaller number, depending on its place. Here we add D, CC, L, and X to M and we will get MDCCLX. The Roman numeral D is 500, CC is 200, L is 50, and X is 10.
Therefore, the numeral of MDCCLX is 1760.
Students can make mistakes when studying Roman numerals. Here are a few common mistakes students make, and ways to avoid them.
Find the sum of MDCXL + L. Write the answer in Roman numerals.
The sum is MDCCXC
Convert both Roman numerals into their decimal form:
MDCXL = 1640
L = 50
Now add both numbers: 1640 + 50 = 1690
Now convert the number into its Roman numeral: 1690 = 1000 (M) + 600 (DC) + 90 (XC) = MDCCXC
What is the difference between MDCCL - XC? Write in Roman numerals.
The difference is MDCLX
Convert the Roman numerals into their decimal form:
MDCCL = 1750
XC = 90
Now we subtract the numbers: 1750 - 90 = 1660
Convert the number into its Roman numeral: 1660 = 1000 (M) + 600 (DC) + 60 (LX) = MDCLX
Divide MCCCXX by 4 and write the answer in Roman numerals.
CCCXXX
Convert MCCCXX into its decimal form:
MCCCXX = 1320
Divide by 4: 1320 / 4 = 330
Write 330 in Roman numerals: 330 = 300 (CCC) + 30 (XXX) = CCCXXX
Find the product of CXL and XII.
MDCLXXX is the product of CXL and XII.
Write CXL and XII in numbers:
CXL = 140
XII = 12
Multiply the numbers: 140 × 12 = 1680
Convert 1680 into its Roman numerals: 1000 (M) + 600 (DC) + 80 (LXXX) = MDCLXXX
Convert MDCXL into its decimal form.
In decimal form MDCXL is 1640
Break MDCXL into components:
M = 1000
DC = 600
XL = 40
Add values: 1000 + 600 + 40 = 1640
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.