Last updated on May 26th, 2025
Roman numerals are a method of expressing numbers using symbols. The symbols I, V, X, L, C, D, and M represent different values. Roman Numerals are often used in royal titles, book names, sequences, and more. Here, we will discuss Roman Numerals, their rules, and examples.
Have you ever seen royal titles like Henry I, Henry II, and wondered what the symbols (I and II) represented? Those are Roman Numerals. Initially, people counted using fingers, sticks, and bones. As life became more complex, a standard form was required to count. Ancient Romans used the Roman Numeral system for counting. The symbols I (1), V (5), X (10), L (50), C (100), D (500), and M (1000) are used to count.
In Roman Numerals, we use CCLXXXVI to represent 286, where C is 100, L is 50, X is 10, and V is 5. Let's learn more about Roman Numerals and how we write them.
There are certain basic rules for writing numbers in Roman Numerals. Here are some fundamental rules to remember when writing numbers in Roman Numerals:
Rule 1: Addition Method
The addition method is applied when a smaller numeral is placed after a larger numeral. For example, CCLXXXVI → C + C + L + X + X + V + I → 100 + 100 + 50 + 10 + 10 + 5 + 1 = 286.
Rule 2: Repetition Method
Certain Roman Numerals can be repeated up to three times to represent a number. For example, XXX → 30.
Rule 3: Subtraction Method
If a smaller numeral precedes a larger numeral, we subtract the smaller number from the larger number. For example, IV → V - I → 5 - 1 = 4.
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, 10 is not written as VV but as X, and 8 is written as VIII, not IIIIIIII.
Let's now learn how to write 286 in Roman Numerals. Follow these methods:
In the expansion method, based on the place value, the number is broken down. Let's learn how to write 286 in Roman numerals using this method.
Step 1: Break the number based on place value: hundreds, tens, and ones.
For 286, we write it as 200 + 80 + 6.
Step 2: Convert the numbers into Roman Numerals:
200 in Roman Numeral — CC
80 in Roman Numeral — LXXX
6 in Roman Numeral — VI
Step 3: Combine the Roman Numerals together.
Therefore, 286 in Roman Numerals is CC (200) + LXXX (80) + VI (6) = CCLXXXVI.
When writing a large number in Roman Numerals, we group the number.
To write 286 in Roman Numerals, group 286 as 200 + 80 + 6:
200 in Roman Numeral — CC
80 in Roman Numeral — LXXX
6 in Roman Numeral — VI
So, 286 is written as CCLXXXVI in Roman Numerals.
Students often make mistakes when writing numbers in Roman Numerals. To master Roman Numerals, we can learn a few common mistakes and ways to avoid them.
A historian discovers a manuscript detailing the population of a small village in the year CCLXXXVI. If each family in the village had on average V members, how many families were there?
The number of families in the village is LVII.
The population of the village is given as CCLXXXVI, which is 286.
Each family has V members, which is 5.
Therefore, the number of families is 286 divided by 5.
286 ÷ 5 = 57.
57 in Roman numerals is LVII.
A library received CCLXXXVI new books and wants to distribute them equally on XIV shelves. How many books will each shelf contain?
Each shelf will contain XXIV books.
The total number of books is CCLXXXVI, which is 286.
The number of shelves is XIV, which is 14.
286 ÷ 14 = 20 remainder 6.
Each shelf will hold 20 books, and 20 in Roman numerals is XX.
A treasure map shows a path of CLXII paces north and CXXIV paces east to reach the hidden treasure. Find the total number of paces required to reach the treasure.
The total number of paces is CCLXXXVI.
The number of paces north is CLXII, which is 162
The number of paces east is CXXIV, which is 124.
162 + 124 = 286.
286 in Roman numerals is CCLXXXVI.
A mathematician is asked to subtract the year MLXXI from the year MCCCLVII and express the answer in Roman numerals.
The difference is CCLXXXVI.
The year MCCCLVII is 1357.
The year MLXXI is 1071.
1357 - 1071 = 286.
286 in Roman numerals is CCLXXXVI.
Convert the sum of 143 and 143 into Roman numerals using the expansion method.
The Roman numeral for the sum is CCLXXXVI.
Step 1: Convert the numbers 143 and 143 into Roman numerals.
143 = CXLIII.
The sum is 143 + 143 = 286.
Using the expansion method: 286 = 200 + 80 + 6 = CCLXXXVI.
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.