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.
The royal titles, such as Henry I, Henry II, and so on, use Roman numerals. 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 for counting. 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 CCCXII to represent 312, where CCC is 300, X is 10, and II is 2. 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 the smaller number is placed after the larger number. For example, XII → X + II → 10 + 2 = 12
To write a large number, certain Roman numerals can be repeated up to three times. CCC → 300.
If a small number is placed before a larger number, we subtract the smaller number from the larger one. For example, IX → X - I → 10 - 1 = 9
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 for 8, we write VIII, not IIIIIIII.
Let’s now learn how to write 312 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 312 in Roman numerals using the expansion method.
To write 312 in Roman numerals, follow the steps:
Step 1: Break the number based on place value. Place values are ones, tens, hundreds, etc.
For 312, we write it as 300 + 10 + 2.
Step 2: Convert the numbers into Roman numerals:
300 in Roman numerals — CCC
10 in Roman numerals — X
2 in Roman numerals — II
Step 3: Combine the Roman numerals together.
Therefore, 312 in Roman numerals is CCC (300) + X (10) + II (2) = CCCXII
When writing a large number into Roman numerals, we group the number.
To write 312 in Roman numerals, we group 312 as 300 + 10 + 2.
300 in Roman numerals — CCC
10 in Roman numerals — X
2 in Roman numerals — II
So, 312 is written as CCCXII 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 is cataloging CCLXXX ancient artifacts and wants to distribute them evenly among VIII exhibitions. How many artifacts will each exhibition receive?
Each exhibition will receive XXXV artifacts.
To find the number of artifacts per exhibition, divide the total number of artifacts by the number of exhibitions:
CCLXXX / VIII
CCLXXX = 280
VIII = 8
Therefore, 280 / 8 = 35.
35 in Roman numerals is XXXV.
Calculate the product of XXVI and XII using Roman numerals.
The product of XXVI and XII is CCCXII.
Convert the Roman numerals to numbers and multiply:
XXVI = 26
XII = 12
The product is 26 × 12 = 312.
312 in Roman numerals is CCCXII.
A library has CCCXII books, and a librarian wants to add XC more books. What will be the total number of books?
The total number of books will be CDII.
Add the numbers together:
CCCXII = 312
XC = 90
312 + 90 = 402
402 in Roman numerals is CDII.
What is the difference between CCCXX and VIII in Roman numerals?
The difference between CCCXX and VIII is CCCXII.
Subtract the numbers:
CCCXX = 320
VIII = 8
320 - 8 = 312
312 in Roman numerals is CCCXII.
A scholar is examining a manuscript with CCCXII pages and plans to read LII pages per day. How many days will it take to finish?
It will take VI days to finish reading.
To determine the number of days, divide the total number of pages by the number of pages read per day:
CCCXII = 312
LII = 52
312 / 52 = 6
6 in Roman numerals is VI.
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.