Last updated on May 26th, 2025
Roman numerals are the 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 CCLXXIX to represent 279, where C is 100, L is 50, XX is 20, and IX is 9. 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, XI → X + I → 10 + 1 = 11.
Rule 2: Repetition Method
To write a large number, there are certain Roman Numerals that can be repeated up to three times. For example, XXX → 30.
Rule 3: Subtraction Method
If a small number is followed by a large number in Roman Numerals, we subtract the smaller number from the large number. For example, IX → X - I → 10 - 1 = 9.
Rule 4: Limitation Rule
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 VV for 10; instead, we use X, and 8 we write as VIII, not IIIIIIII.
Let’s now learn how to write 279 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 279 in Roman numerals using the expansion method.
To write 279 in Roman Numerals, follow the steps:
Step 1: Break the number based on place value: hundreds, tens, and ones.
For 279, we write it as 200 + 70 + 9.
Step 2: Converting the number into Roman Numerals:
200 in Roman Numeral — CC
70 in Roman Numeral — LXX
9 in Roman Numeral — IX
Step 3: Combine the Roman Numerals together.
Therefore, 279 in Roman Numeral is CC (200) + LXX (70) + IX (9) = CCLXXIX.
When writing a large number into Roman Numeral, we group the number.
To write 279 in Roman Numeral, we group 279 as 200 + 70 + 9.
200 in Roman Numeral — CC
70 in Roman Numeral — LXX
9 in Roman Numeral — IX
So, 279 is written as CCLXXIX 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 MMCCLXXIX ancient coins buried in a field. If he decides to display them in groups of CXXIII coins each, how many groups will there be?
There will be XXIII groups.
To find the number of groups, divide the total number of coins by the number of coins per group.
MMCCLXXIX = 2279
CXXIII = 123
2279 / 123 = 18.528, which rounds down to 18 full groups.
18 in Roman numerals is XVIII.
A library has acquired a rare collection of books, totaling DLVIII volumes. They plan to distribute these books equally among XXI shelves. How many books will each shelf contain?
Each shelf will contain XXVI books.
Divide the total number of books by the number of shelves.
DLVIII = 558
XXI = 21
558 / 21 = 26.571, which rounds down to 26 full books per shelf.
26 in Roman numerals is XXVI.
Calculate the sum of CL and MCLXXIX in Roman numerals.
The sum of CL and MCLXXIX is MCCCXXIX.
Add the numbers together:
CL = 150
MCLXXIX = 1179
150 + 1179 = 1329
1329 in Roman numerals is MCCCXXIX.
A Roman emperor plans to distribute CMXLV gold coins among IX of his most trusted generals. How many coins will each general receive?
Each general will receive CV coins.
Divide the total number of coins by the number of generals.
CMXLV = 945
IX = 9
945 / 9 = 105
105 in Roman numerals is CV.
A marathon runner completes a course of DCCLXXIX kilometers over XIII days. What is the average distance he runs per day?
A marathon runner completes a course of DCCLXXIX kilometers over XIII days. What is the average distance he runs per day?
Divide the total distance by the number of days.
DCCLXXIX = 779
XIII = 13
779 / 13 = 59.923, which rounds down to 59 kilometers per day.
59 in Roman numerals is LIX
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.