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 more. 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 these names and wondered what the symbols (I and II) represent? Those are Roman Numerals.
In ancient times, people used to count using fingers, sticks, bones, etc. As life became more complex, a standard form was required. Ancient Romans used the Roman Numeral system for counting. The symbols are I (1), V (5), X (10), L (50), C (100), D (500), and M (1000).
In Roman Numerals, 1960 is written as MCMLX, where M is 1000, CM is 900, L is 50, and X is 10. 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 a smaller number is placed after a larger number. This means we add the values. For example, LX → L + X → 50 + 10 = 60.
To write large numbers, certain Roman Numerals can be repeated up to three times. For example, XXX → 30.
If a smaller number precedes a larger number in Roman Numerals, we subtract the smaller number from the larger one. For example, CM → M - C → 1000 - 100 = 900.
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 VV for 10; instead, we use X. Similarly, 8 is written as VIII, not IIIIIIII.
Let’s now learn how to write 1960 in Roman Numerals. Follow these methods to write the number in Roman Numerals:
In the expansion method, based on place value, the number is broken down. In this section, we will learn how to write 1960 in Roman numerals using the expansion method. To write 1960 in Roman Numerals, follow these steps:
Step 1: Break the number based on place value: 1000 + 900 + 50 + 10.
Step 2: Convert each part into Roman Numerals:
Step 3: Combine the Roman Numerals together. Therefore, 1960 in Roman Numerals is M (1000) + CM (900) + L (50) + X (10) = MCMLX.
When writing a large number in Roman Numerals, we group the number. To write 1960 in Roman Numerals, we group 1960 as 1000 + 900 + 50 + 10.
So, 1960 is written as MCMLX 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 finds that a library was built in the year MCMLX and wants to know how many years have passed since then until the year MMXXI. Calculate the difference.
The difference in years is LXI.
To find the difference in years, subtract the earlier year from the later year.
MCMLX = 1960
MMXXI = 2021
2021 - 1960 = 61
61 in Roman Numerals is LXI.
A museum exhibit displays artifacts from MCMLX. If each artifact is from a different year starting from MCM to MCMLX, how many artifacts are on display?
There are LXI artifacts on display.
To find the number of artifacts, calculate the years from MCM to MCMLX inclusive.
MCM = 1900
MCMLX = 1960
1960 - 1900 + 1 = 61
61 in Roman Numerals is LXI.
Calculate the sum of the years MCMXLV and MCMLXV.
The sum of the years MCMXLV and MCMLXV is MMMCMXX.
Sum is the result of adding two numbers.
MCMXLV = 1945
MCMLXV = 1965
1945 + 1965 = 3910
3910 in Roman Numerals is MMMCMXX.
A movie studio releases a classic film collection with the years MCMXL, MCML, and MCMLX. What is the average of these years?
The average of these years is MCMXLVIII.
To find the average, add the years together and divide by the number of years.
MCMXL = 1940
MCML = 1950
MCMLX = 1960 (1940 + 1950 + 1960) / 3 = 1950
1950 in Roman Numerals is MCML.
Write the Roman Numeral for 980 + 980 using the expansion method.
The Roman for 980 + 980 is MCMLX.
Step 1: First convert the numbers 980 and 980 into Roman numerals
980 - CMLXXX
980 - CMLXXX
Add the numbers together: 980 + 980 = 1960
Using expansion method: 1960 = 1000 + 900 + 60 = MCMLX
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.