Last updated on May 26th, 2025
Roman numerals are a way of expressing numbers using symbols. The symbols used are I, V, X, L, C, D, and M. Roman numerals are often used in royal titles, book names, sequences, and more. Here we will discuss Roman numerals, rules, and examples.
You may have seen Roman numerals in royal titles, such as "Henry I" or "Henry II," and wondered what these symbols (I and II) represented. These are Roman numerals. In ancient times, people used fingers, sticks, bones, etc., to count. As life became more complex, a standard form was required. The ancient Romans used the Roman numeral system to count. The symbols I (1), V (5), X (10), L (50), C (100), D (500), and M (1000) are used to represent numbers.
In Roman numerals, we use CCCXXXII to represent 332. Here, C is 100, X is 10, and I is 1. Let’s learn more about Roman numerals and how we write them.
There are certain basic rules to write a number in Roman numerals. Let's discuss some rules that need to be remembered when writing a number in Roman numerals.
The addition method is used when a smaller number is placed after a larger number. For example, CCCXXXII → C + C + C + X + X + I + I → 100 + 100 + 100 + 10 + 10 + 1 + 1 = 332.
Certain Roman numerals can be repeated up to three times to form larger numbers. For example, CCC → 300.
If a small number precedes a large number in Roman numerals, 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 do not write VV for 10; instead, we use X.
Let's learn how to write 332 in Roman numerals using different methods.
In the expansion method, the number is broken down based on place value.
Step 1: Break down the number based on place value: hundreds, tens, and ones.
For 332, we write it as 300 + 30 + 2.
Step 2: Convert each part into Roman numerals:
300 in Roman numerals — CCC
30 in Roman numerals — XXX
2 in Roman numerals — II
Step 3: Combine the Roman numerals together:
Therefore, 332 in Roman numerals is CCC (300) + XXX (30) + II (2) = CCCXXXII.
Students often make mistakes when writing numbers in Roman numerals. Here are some common mistakes and ways to avoid them.
A historian found CCCXXXII ancient coins and wants to divide them equally among VIII treasure chests. How many coins will each chest contain?
Each chest will contain XLI coins.
To find the number of coins per chest, divide the total coins by the number of chests.
CCCXXXII = 332
VIII = 8
332 / 8 = 41
41 in Roman numerals is XLI.
A museum has a collection of CCCXXXII artifacts and plans to display them in XXII different exhibitions. How many artifacts will each exhibition have?
Each exhibition will have XV artifacts.
Divide the total number of artifacts by the number of exhibitions.
CCCXXXII = 332
XXII = 22
332 / 22 = 15
15 in Roman numerals is XV.
A library received a donation of CCCXXXII rare books and wants to allocate them equally to XLVIII branches. How many books will each branch receive?
Each branch will receive VII books.
To find the number of books per branch, divide the total books by the number of branches.
CCCXXXII = 332
XLVIII = 48
332 / 48 = 6.9166... (approximately 7)
Rounded to the nearest whole number, each branch receives VII books.
A mathematician is researching the sum of CCXL and XCII. What is the result in Roman numerals?
The sum of CCXL and XCII is CCCXXXII.
Add the two numbers.
CCXL = 240
XCII = 92
240 + 92 = 332
332 in Roman numerals is CCCXXXII.
During a competition, a participant scores CCXL points in the first round and XCI points in the second round. What is their total score in Roman numerals?
The total score is CCCXXXI
Add the scores from both rounds.
CCXL = 240
XCI = 91
240 + 91 = 331
331 in Roman numerals is CCCXXXI.
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.