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.
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. 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 CCLXXXVII to represent 287, where C is 100, L is 50, X is 10, and VII is 7. 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, VII → V + I + I → 5 + 1 + 1 = 7
Rule 2: Repetition Method
To write a large number, certain Roman Numerals can be repeated up to three times. For example, CCC → 300.
Rule 3: Subtraction Method
If a smaller number precedes 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
The symbols cannot be repeated more than three times, and some symbols like V, L, and D cannot be repeated. For example, we do not write VV for 10; instead, we use X.
Let’s now learn how to write 287 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 287 in Roman numerals using the expansion method.
To write 287 in Roman Numerals, follow the steps:
Step 1: Break the number based on place value: hundreds, tens, and ones.
For 287, we write it as 200 + 80 + 7
Step 2: Convert each part into Roman Numerals:
200 in Roman Numerals — CC
80 in Roman Numerals — LXXX
7 in Roman Numerals — VII
Step 3: Combine the Roman Numerals together.
Therefore, 287 in Roman Numerals is CC (200) + LXXX (80) + VII (7) = CCLXXXVII
When writing a large number into Roman Numerals, we group the number.
To write 287 in Roman Numerals, we group 287 as 200 + 80 + 7:
200 in Roman Numerals — CC
80 in Roman Numerals — LXXX
7 in Roman Numerals — VII
So, 287 is written as CCLXXXVII in Roman Numerals.
Students often make mistakes when writing a number in Roman Numerals. To master Roman Numerals, we can learn a few common mistakes and ways to avoid them.
A historian needs to reproduce a XXXV-page document XX times for a presentation. How many pages will the historian have in total?
The total number of pages will be DCC.
First, convert the Roman numerals to Arabic numerals:
XXXV = 35
XX = 20
The total number of pages is 35 × 20 = 700.
700 in Roman numerals is DCC.
A Roman merchant sold CCLXXXVII items over the course of XIV days. How many items did the merchant sell per day on average?
The merchant sold XXV items per day.
Convert the Roman numerals to Arabic numerals:
CCLXXXVII = 287
XIV = 14
287 / 14 = 20.5, but since we want a whole number for each full day,
we round down to 20.
XX in Roman numerals is XX.
Find the difference between D and CCXIII in Roman numerals.
The difference is CCLXXXVII.
Convert the Roman numerals to Arabic numerals:
D = 500
CCXIII = 213
The difference is 500 - 213 = 287.
287 in Roman numerals is CCLXXXVII.
Write the Roman numeral expression for 287 by breaking it down into hundreds, tens, and units.
The Roman numeral expression for 287 is CCLXXXVII.
Break down 287 into hundreds, tens, and units:
287 = 200 + 80 + 7
200 = CC
80 = LXXX
7 = VII
Combine them to get CCLXXXVII.
If a library has a collection of DCC books and decides to remove CCCXIII books, how many books will remain in the library?
The library will have CCCCLXXXVII books remaining.
Convert the Roman numerals to Arabic numerals:
DCC = 700
CCCXIII = 313
The number of books remaining is 700 - 313 = 387.
387 in Roman numerals is CCCCLXXXVII.
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.