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, often use Roman Numerals. Have you noticed these titles and wondered what these symbols (I and II) represented? Those are Roman Numerals. In earlier times, people used fingers, sticks, bones, etc., to count. As life became more 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 CCCLXXXVIII to represent 388, where C is 100, L is 50, X is 10, and III is 3. 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, VIII → V + III → 5 + 3 = 8
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 small number is followed by a large 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 won't write VV for 10; instead, we use X.
Let’s now learn how to write 388 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 388 in Roman numerals using the expansion method.
To write 388 in Roman Numerals, follow these steps:
Step 1: Break the number based on place value: hundreds, tens, and ones.
For 388, we write it as 300 + 80 + 8
Step 2: Convert each number into Roman Numerals:
300 in Roman Numerals — CCC
80 in Roman Numerals — LXXX
8 in Roman Numerals — VIII
Step 3: Combine the Roman Numerals together:
Therefore, 388 in Roman Numerals is CCC (300) + LXXX (80) + VIII (8) = CCCLXXXVIII
When writing a large number as a Roman Numeral, we group the number.
To write 388 in Roman Numerals, we group 388 as 300 + 80 + 8:
300 in Roman Numerals — CCC
80 in Roman Numerals — LXXX
8 in Roman Numerals — VIII
So, 388 is written as CCCLXXXVIII in Roman Numerals.
Students make mistakes when writing numbers in Roman Numerals. To master Roman Numerals, we can learn a few common mistakes and the ways to avoid them.
An art collector has to distribute CCXL paintings among VIII museums. How many paintings will each museum receive?
Each museum will receive XXX paintings.
To determine the number of paintings per museum, divide the total paintings by the number of museums:
CCXL = 240
VIII = 8
240 / 8 = 30
30 in Roman Numerals is XXX.
Calculate the sum of CLXXXVIII and CC.
The sum of CLXXXVIII and CC is CCCLXXXVIII.
Adding the two numbers together:
CLXXXVIII = 188
CC = 200
188 + 200 = 388
388 in Roman Numerals is CCCLXXXVIII.
Find the difference between CD and CXII.
The difference between CD and CXII is CCLXXXVIII.
Subtracting the smaller number from the larger:
CD = 400
CXII = 112
400 112 = 288
288 in Roman Numerals is CCLXXXVIII.
Write the Roman Numeral for 300 + 88 using the expansion method.
The Roman numeral for 300 + 88 is CCCLXXXVIII.
First convert the numbers 300 and 88 into Roman numerals:
300 = CCC
88 = LXXXVIII
Add the numbers together: 300 + 88 = 388
Using expansion method: 388 = 300 + 80 + 8 = CCCLXXXVIII
A historian found a document dated CCCLXXXVIII years ago. How many centuries and decades ago was the document dated?
The document was dated III centuries and VIII decades ago.
To express the number of years in terms of centuries and decades:
388 years = 3 centuries and 8 decades
III centuries and VIII decades in Roman numerals.
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.