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 discuss Roman numerals, rules, and examples.
Have you ever noticed roman numerals in clocks or at the end of movie credits and wondered what these symbols represent? Those are the Roman numerals.
Early civilizations used to count using fingers, sticks, bones, etc. As societies became more complex, a standard form was required.
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 CDLXXIV to represent 474. Here, CD is 400, L is 50, XX is 20, and IV is 4. 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 a smaller number is placed after a larger number. For example, VI → V + I → 5 + 1 = 6.
To write a larger number, certain Roman numerals can be repeated up to three times. For example, III → 3.
If a smaller number precedes a larger number, we subtract the smaller number from the larger. For example, IX → X - I → 10 - 1 = 9.
The symbols cannot be repeated more than three times, and some symbols like V, L, and D cannot be repeated. For example, we write 8 as VIII not IIIIIIII.
Let’s now learn how to write 474 in Roman numerals. Follow these methods to write the number in Roman numerals:
In the expansion method, the number is broken down based on place value. Here we will learn how to write 474 in Roman numerals using the expansion method. To write 474 in Roman numerals, follow these steps:
Step 1: Break the number based on its place value. Place values are ones, tens, hundreds, etc. For 474, we write it as 400 + 70 + 4.
Step 2: Convert the numbers into Roman numerals. 400 in Roman numerals — CD 70 in Roman numerals — LXX 4 in Roman numerals — IV
Step 3: Combine the Roman numerals together. Therefore, 474 in Roman numerals is CD (400) + LXX (70) + IV (4) = CDLXXIV.
When writing a large number into Roman numerals, we group the number. To write 474 in Roman numerals, we group 474 as 400 + 70 + 4.
So, 474 is written as CDLXXIV in Roman numerals.
Students often make mistakes when writing numbers in Roman numerals. To master Roman numerals, it helps to learn a few common mistakes and ways to avoid them.
A historian discovers a document that mentions a battle involving CDLXXIV soldiers. If each soldier was awarded V gold coins, how many coins were distributed in total?
A total of MMCCCLXX coins were distributed.
The total number of coins distributed is found by multiplying the number of soldiers by the number of coins each received.
CDLXXIV = 474
V = 5 474 × 5 = 2370
2370 in Roman Numerals is MMCCCLXX.
In an ancient game, a player scores points represented as CCCCLXXIV. If they lose points equivalent to CXXIV, what is their final score?
The final score of the player is CCCL.
To find the final score, subtract the lost points from the original points.
CCCCLXXIV = 474
CXXIV = 124
474 - 124 = 350
350 in Roman Numerals is CCCL.
An artifact collector has a collection of CCCXLVIII artifacts. He purchases an additional CXXVI artifacts. What is the total number of artifacts in his collection now?
The total number of artifacts in the collection is CDLXXIV.
To find the total, add the original number of artifacts to the newly purchased ones.
CCCXLVIII = 348
CXXVI = 126
348 + 126 = 474
474 in Roman Numerals is CDLXXIV.
A library has D books, but CDXXVI of them are checked out. How many books remain in the library?
There are LXXIV books remaining in the library.
To find the remaining books, subtract the checked-out books from the total.
D = 500
CDXXVI = 426
500 - 426 = 74
74 in Roman Numerals is LXXIV.
Express the sum of CCC and CLXXIV using Roman numerals.
The sum of CCC and CLXXIV is CDLXXIV.
Add the two numbers to find the sum.
CCC = 300
CLXXIV = 174
300 + 174 = 474
474 in Roman Numerals is CDLXXIV.
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.