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. 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. As life became more complex, a standard form was required to count.
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 CDXCVI to represent 496. Here, CD is 400, XC is 90, and VI is 6.
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 large number, certain Roman Numerals can be repeated three times. III → 3
If a smaller number precedes a larger number in Roman Numerals, we subtract the smaller number from the larger number. For example, XC → C - X → 100 - 10 = 90
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 496 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 496 in Roman numerals using the expansion method. To write 496 in Roman Numerals, follow the steps,
Step 1: Break the number based on the place value. Place value, that is, ones, tens, hundreds, etc. For 496, we write it as 400 + 90 + 6
Step 2: Converting the number into Roman Numerals
Step 3: Combine the Roman Numerals together. Therefore, 496 in Roman Numerals is CD (400) + XC (90) + VI (6) = CDXCVI
When writing a large number in Roman Numerals, we group the number. To write 496 in Roman Numerals, we group 496 as 400 + 90 + 6
So, 496 is written as CDXCVI in Roman Numerals.
Students often make mistakes when writing a number in Roman Numerals. To master Roman Numerals, we can learn a few common mistakes and the ways to avoid them.
A historian discovers CDLVI ancient coins and wants to divide them equally among VIII museums. How many coins will each museum receive?
Each museum will receive LVII coins.
To find the number of coins each museum receives, divide the total number of coins by the number of museums. CDLVI = 456
VIII = 8
456 / 8 = 57
57 in Roman Numerals is LVII.
An architect has to design a building with a total of CDLVI windows, spread evenly across XII floors. How many windows will each floor have?
Each floor will have XXXVIII windows.
Divide the total number of windows by the number of floors to find the number of windows per floor.
CDLVI = 456
XII = 12
456 / 12 = 38
38 in Roman Numerals is XXXVIII.
A library has a total of CCCXL books, and it receives an additional CLVI books as a donation. What is the total number of books in the library?
The total number of books in the library is CDXCVI.
Add the number of books originally in the library to the number of books received as a donation.
CCCXL = 340
CLVI = 156
340 + 156 = 496
496 in Roman Numerals is CDXCVI.
A sports stadium can seat CDLVI spectators. During a match, XXXIX seats were left empty. How many spectators attended the match?
CDXVII spectators attended the match.
Subtract the number of empty seats from the total number of seats to find the number of spectators who attended. CDLVI = 456
XXXIX = 39
456 - 39 = 417
417 in Roman Numerals is CDXVII.
Calculate the difference in years between the construction of two monuments, one built in the year MCM and the other in the year MCDIV.
The difference in years between the construction of the two monuments is CDLVI.
Subtract the earlier year from the later year to find the difference in years.
MCM = 1900
MCDIV = 1404
1900 - 1404 = 496
496 in Roman Numerals is CDXCVI.
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.