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.
Royal titles, such as Henry I, Henry II, and so on, use Roman Numerals. 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.
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), D (500), and M (1000) are the symbols we use to count.
In Roman Numerals, we use CLXXXVIII to represent 188, where C is 100, L is 50, XXX is 30, and VIII is 8. 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.
Rule 1: Addition Method
The addition method is used when the smaller number is placed after the larger number. For example, CLXXXVIII → C + L + XXX + VIII → 100 + 50 + 30 + 8 = 188
Rule 2: Repetition Method
To write a large number, certain Roman Numerals can be repeated up to three times. For example, XXX → 30.
Rule 3: Subtraction Method
If a smaller number is followed by a larger number in Roman Numerals, we subtract the smaller number from the larger number. For example, IX → X - I → 10 - 1 = 9
Rule 4: Limitation Rule
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 LLL for 150; instead, we use CL.
Let’s now learn how to write 188 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 188 in Roman numerals using the expansion method.
To write 188 in Roman Numerals, follow the steps:
Step 1: Break the number based on place value. Place values are ones, tens, hundreds, etc.
For 188, we write it as 100 + 80 + 8
Step 2: Convert the number into Roman Numerals
100 in Roman Numerals — C
80 in Roman Numerals — LXXX
8 in Roman Numerals — VIII
Step 3: Combine the Roman Numerals together.
Therefore, 188 in Roman Numerals is C + LXXX + VIII = CLXXXVIII.
When writing a large number in Roman Numerals, we group the number.
To write 188 in Roman Numerals, we group 188 as 100 + 80 + 8
100 in Roman Numerals — C
80 in Roman Numerals — LXXX
8 in Roman Numerals — VIII
So, 188 is written as CLXXXVIII 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.
A historian discovers a rare artifact dated CLXXXVIII years after the founding of a famous city. If the city was founded in the year 753 BC, in which year was the artifact dated?
The artifact was dated in the year 565 BC.
CLXXXVIII in Roman numerals is 188. If the city was founded in 753 BC, the artifact dated CLXXXVIII years after would be in 753 - 188 = 565 BC.
An ancient manuscript mentions a festival that occurs every CLXXXVIII years. If the last festival was celebrated in the year 2000 AD, in which future year will the next festival be celebrated?
The next festival will be celebrated in the year 2188 AD.
CLXXXVIII in Roman numerals is 188. Adding 188 years to the year 2000 gives 2000 + 188 = 2188 AD.
A collector has CLXXXVIII coins, and he divides them evenly among his family members, giving each person XIII coins. How many family members are there?
There are XIV family members.
CLXXXVIII is 188 and XIII is 13 in Roman numerals. Dividing 188 by 13 gives 188 ÷ 13 = 14. Therefore, there are XIV family members.
A scribe records a total transaction of CLXXXVIII pounds of grain split into two parts, one of LXXX and the other of CVIII pounds. Verify the total transaction amount.
The total transaction of LXXX and CVIII is indeed CLXXXVIII.
LXXX is 80 and CVIII is 108 in Roman numerals. Adding them gives 80 + 108 = 188, which is CLXXXVIII in Roman numerals.
Convert the sum of LXXX and CVIII into Roman numerals using the expansion method.
The Roman numeral for the sum of LXXX and CVIII is CLXXXVIII.
First, convert the numbers to Roman numerals:
LXXX = 80
CVIII = 108
Add the numbers together: 80 + 108 = 188
Using the expansion method: 188 = 100 + 80 + 8 = CLXXXVIII.
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.