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 used. 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 fingers, sticks, bones, etc., to count. When life became more complex, a standard form was required for counting.
Ancient Romans used the Roman numeral system. 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 CDLIII to represent 453, where C is 100, D is 500, L is 50, and III is 3. Let’s learn more about Roman numerals and how we write them.
There are certain basic rules for writing 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 a smaller number is placed after a larger number. For example, VI → V + I → 5 + 1 = 6.
To write a large number, certain Roman numerals can be repeated up to three times. For example, III → 3.
If a small number precedes a large number in Roman numerals, we subtract the smaller number from the larger number. For example, IV → V - I → 5 - 1 = 4.
Symbols cannot be repeated more than three times, and some symbols like V, L, and D cannot be repeated. For example, we don't write VV for 10; instead, we use X, and for 8, we write VIII, not IIIIIIII.
Let’s now learn how to write 453 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 453 in Roman numerals using the expansion method. To write 453 in Roman numerals, follow the steps:
Step 1: Break the number based on place value: ones, tens, hundreds, etc. For 453, we write it as 400 + 50 + 3.
Step 2: Convert the number into Roman numerals: - 400 in Roman numerals — CD - 50 in Roman numerals — L - 3 in Roman numerals — III
Step 3: Combine the Roman numerals together. Therefore, 453 in Roman numerals is CD (400) + L (50) + III (3) = CDLIII.
When writing a large number in Roman numerals, we group the numbers. To write 453 in Roman numerals, we group 453 as 400 + 50 + 3:
So, 453 is written as CDLIII in Roman numerals.
Students make mistakes when writing numbers in Roman numerals. To master Roman numerals, we can learn a few common mistakes and ways to avoid them.
Convert the year when the Roman Empire reached its greatest territorial extent, AD 117, and the year of the fall of Constantinople, AD 1453, into Roman numerals, and find the difference between them.
The difference between the years AD CXVII and AD MCDLIII is MCCCXXXVI.
First, we convert the years into Roman numerals:
AD 117 = CXVII
AD 1453 = MCDLIII
Next, we find the difference: 1453 - 117 = 1336
1336 in Roman numerals is MCCCXXXVI.
A historian is cataloging ancient coins marked with the Roman numeral CDLIII. If each coin is worth CD minus L in Roman value, how much is each coin worth?
Each coin is worth CCC.
First, convert the Roman numerals to numbers:
CDLIII = 453
CD = 400
L = 50
Subtract the value of L from CD:
400 - 50 = 350
350 in Roman numerals is CCC.
An archaeologist discovered inscriptions in a cave that state a number in Roman numerals as CDLIII and another as CXLVII. Find their sum.
The sum of CDLIII and CXLVII is DC.
First, convert the Roman numerals to numbers:
CDLIII = 453
CXLVII = 147
Calculate the sum:
453 + 147 = 600
600 in Roman numerals is DC.
A museum has a collection of ancient scrolls, each labeled with a Roman numeral. If one scroll is labeled CCC and another is labeled CLIII, what is the difference in their values?
The difference between CCC and CLIII is CLVII.
First, convert the Roman numerals to numbers:
CCC = 300
CLIII = 153
Calculate the difference:
300 - 153 = 147
147 in Roman numerals is CXLVII.
Write the Roman Numeral for 453 using the expansion method.
The Roman numeral for 453 is CDLIII.
Step 1: Break down the number 453 into place values: 400 + 50 + 3
Step 2: Convert each into Roman numerals: 400 = CD 50 = L 3 = III
Combine them: 400 + 50 + 3 = CDLIII
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.