Last updated on May 26th, 2025
Roman numerals are a method of expressing numbers using symbols. The symbols used are I, V, X, L, C, D, and M. Roman numerals appear in royal titles, book names, sequences, and more. Here we will discuss Roman numerals, their rules, and examples.
Royal titles, such as Henry I, Henry II, and so forth, often use Roman numerals. Have you ever wondered what these symbols (I and II) represent? They are Roman numerals.
In ancient times, people used fingers, sticks, bones, and other objects to count. As life became more complex, a standard form of counting became necessary. The ancient Romans developed the Roman numeral system for counting. The symbols used are I (1), V (5), X (10), L (50), C (100), D (500), and M (1000).
In Roman numerals, we use MCMLXI to represent 1961. Here, M is 1000, CM is 900, L is 50, X is 10, and I is 1. Let’s learn more about Roman numerals and how to write them.
There are basic rules for writing numbers in Roman numerals. Let's discuss these fundamental rules that need to be remembered when writing numbers in Roman numerals.
The addition method is used when a smaller number is placed after a larger number. For example, XI → X + I → 10 + 1 = 11.
Some Roman numerals can be repeated up to three times to form a number. For example, III → 3.
If a smaller number precedes a larger number in Roman numerals, it is subtracted from the larger number. For example, IX → X - I → 10 - 1 = 9.
Symbols cannot be repeated more than three times, and symbols like V, L, and D cannot be repeated at all. For example, we won't write VV for 10; instead, we use X. Similarly, 8 is written as VIII, not IIIIIIII.
Let’s learn how to write 1961 in Roman numerals using different methods:
The expansion method involves breaking down a number based on place value. Here's how to write 1961 in Roman numerals using this method: To write 1961 in Roman numerals, follow these steps:
Step 1: Break down the number based on place value: ones, tens, hundreds, thousands. For 1961, we write it as 1000 + 900 + 50 + 10 + 1.
Step 2: Convert each part into Roman numerals:
Step 3: Combine the Roman numerals together. Therefore, 1961 in Roman numerals is M (1000) + CM (900) + L (50) + X (10) + I (1) = MCMLXI.
When writing large numbers in Roman numerals, we can group the numbers. To write 1961 in Roman numerals, we group 1961 as 1000 + 900 + 50 + 10 + 1.
So, 1961 is written as MCMLXI in Roman numerals.
Students often make mistakes when writing numbers in Roman numerals. To master Roman numerals, we can learn from common mistakes and how to avoid them.
If a historian discovers a manuscript dated MCMLX and wants to know how many years have passed until MCMLXI, how many years is it?
The number of years that have passed is I.
MCMLX = 1960 and MCMLXI = 1961.
The difference between 1961 and 1960 is 1.
In Roman numerals, 1 is written as I.
A library has a rare collection of MCMLXI books and decides to distribute them equally among III libraries. How many books will each library receive?
Each library will receive DCCCLXX.
To find out how many books each library receives, divide the total number of books by the number of libraries:
MCMLXI / III. MCMLXI = 1961 and III = 3.
So, 1961 / 3 = 653. In Roman numerals, 653 is written as DCCCLXX.
A museum catalog lists an artifact marked with the year MDCC and another with the year MCMLXI. What is the sum of these years?
The sum of MDCC and MCMLXI is MMDCXXI.
MDCC = 1700 and MCMLXI = 1961.
The sum of 1700 and 1961 is 3661.
In Roman numerals, 3661 is written as MMDCXXI.
A vintage car is being restored, and its original production year is marked as MCMLVI. If the restoration was completed in MCMLXI, how many years did the restoration take?
The restoration took V years.
MCMLVI = 1956 and MCMLXI = 1961.
The difference between 1961 and 1956 is 5.
In Roman numerals, 5 is written as V.
Translate the equation 1961 - 1000 into Roman numerals using the subtraction method.
The Roman numeral for 1961 - 1000 is CMLXI.
Step 1: Convert 1961 and 1000 into Roman numerals.
1961 = MCMLXI and 1000 = M.
Subtract the numbers: 1961 - 1000 = 961.
Using the subtraction method: 961 = 900 + 60 + 1 = CMLXI.
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.