Last updated on May 26th, 2025
Roman numerals are a method 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 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. When life became 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 D to represent 500 and VIII to represent 8, so 508 is written as DVIII.
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 the smaller number is placed after the larger number. For example, VIII → V + I + I + I → 5 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 8
To write a large number, there are certain Roman numerals that can be repeated three times. For example, III → 3.
If a small number is followed by a large number in Roman numerals, we subtract the smaller number from the large one. 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 won't write VV for 10; instead, we use X. For 8, we write VIII, not IIIIIIII.
Let’s now learn how to write 508 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 508 in Roman numerals using the expansion method. To write 508 in Roman numerals, follow the steps:
Step 1: Break the number based on place value. Place values are ones, tens, hundreds, etc. For 508, we write it as 500 + 8
Step 2: Converting the number into Roman numerals
Step 3: Combining the Roman numerals together. Therefore, 508 in Roman Numerals is D (500) + VIII (8) = DVIII
When writing a large number into Roman numerals, we group the number. To write 508 in Roman numerals, we group 508 as 500 + 8
500 in Roman Numerals - D
8 in Roman Numerals - VIII
So, 508 is written as DVIII 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.
A historian found a manuscript mentioning the year DLXXXVIII and wants to know how many years it is from DVIII. Calculate the difference in years.
The difference in years is LXXX.
DLXXXVIII in Roman numerals is 588. DVIII is 508. The difference between these years is 588 - 508 = 80. In Roman numerals, 80 is written as LXXX.
An architect is designing a building with DXXX columns distributed equally among XXVI floors. How many columns will each floor have?
Each floor will have XX columns.
To find the number of columns per floor, divide the total number of columns by the number of floors.
DXXX = 530
XXVI = 26
530 / 26 = 20 In Roman numerals, 20 is written as XX.
Find the sum of CCCLXXXVIII and CXX.
The sum of CCCLXXXVIII and CXX is DVIII.
Sum is the result of adding two numbers.
CCCLXXXVIII = 388
CXX = 120
388 + 120 = 508
508 in Roman Numerals is DVIII.
Calculate the difference between DXX and DIII.
The difference between DXX and DIII is XVII.
The difference of two numbers is the value we get when subtracting one number from the other.
DXX = 520
DIII = 503
520 - 503 = 17 In Roman numerals, 17 is written as XVII.
Express the result of 250 + 258 using Roman numerals.
The result of 250 + 258 is DVIII.
Step 1: Convert the numbers 250 and 258 into Roman numerals. 250 = CCL 258 = CCLVIII
Add the numbers together: 250 + 258 = 508
508 in Roman numerals is written as DVIII.
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.