Last updated on May 26th, 2025
Roman numerals are a way of expressing numbers using symbols. I, V, X, L, C, D, and M are the symbols we use. Roman Numerals are used in royal titles, book names, sequences, and so on. Here we will be discussing Roman Numerals, rules, and examples.
The royal titles, such as Henry I, Henry II, and so on. Have you noticed the names and wondered what these symbols (I and II) represented? Those are the Roman Numerals. Earlier people used to count using fingers, sticks, bones, etc. to count earlier. When life became complex, a standard form was required to count.
Ancient Romans used the Roman Numeral system to count. I (1), V (5), X (10), L (50), C (100), D (500), and M (1000) are the symbols we use to count. In Roman Numerals, we use DCCXLII to represent 742, where D is 500, CC is 200, XL is 40, and II is 2.
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, VI → V + I → 5 + 1 = 6
To write a large number, there are certain Roman Numerals that can be repeated up to three times. For example, CCC → 300.
If a small number is followed by a large number in Roman Numerals, we subtract the smaller number from the large number. For example, XL → L - X → 50 - 10 = 40
The 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 DD for 1000; instead, we use M and 8 we write as VIII not IIIIIIII.
Let’s now learn how to write 742 in Roman Numerals. Follow these methods to write the number in Roman Numerals.
In the expansion method, based on the place value, the number is broken down. In this section, we will learn how to write 742 in Roman numerals using the expansion method. To write 742 in Roman Numerals, follow the steps,
Step 1: Break the number based on place value: hundreds, tens, and ones. For 742, write it as 700 + 40 + 2
Step 2: Converting the number into Roman Numerals
Step 3: Combine the Roman Numerals together. Therefore, 742 in Roman Numerals is DCC (700) + XL (40) + II (2) = DCCXLII
When writing a large number in Roman Numerals, we group the number. To write 742 in Roman Numerals, we group 742 as 700 + 40 + 2.
So, 742 is written as DCCXLII in Roman Numerals.
Students make mistakes when writing a number in Roman Numerals. To master Roman Numerals, we can learn a few common mistakes and the ways to avoid them.
Multiply DCCXLII by II.
The product of DCCXLII and II is MCDLXXXIV.
In Roman numerals, DCCXLII is 742 and II is 2. The product of DCCXLII and II is 742 × 2 = 1484. 1484 in Roman Numerals can be written as MCDLXXXIV.
A library has MCDLXXXIV books and wants to distribute them equally among DCCXLII readers. How many books will each reader receive?
Each reader will receive II books.
To find out how many books each reader receives, divide the total number of books by the number of readers. MCDLXXXIV = 1484
DCCXLII = 742
1484 / 742 = 2.
2 in Roman numerals is II.
Add DCCXLII and CCCXLVIII.
The sum of DCCXLII and CCCXLVIII is MXC.
Adding two numbers together gives their sum.
DCCXLII = 742
CCCXLVIII = 348
742 + 348 = 1090
1090 in Roman Numerals is MXC. The sum of DCCXLII and CCCXLVIII is MXC.
What is the difference between MCDLXXXIV and DCCXLII?
The difference between MCDLXXXIV and DCCXLII is DCCXLII.
The difference of two numbers is the value obtained when subtracting one from the other.
MCDLXXXIV = 1484
DCCXLII = 742
1484 - 742 = 742
742 in Roman Numerals is DCCXLII.
Write the Roman Numeral for 742 + 258 using the expansion method.
The Roman numeral for 742 + 258 is M.
Step 1: Convert the numbers 742 and 258 into Roman numerals.
742 - DCCXLII
258 - CCLVIII
Add the numbers together: 742 + 258 = 1000
Using the expansion method: 1000 = M.
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.