Last updated on May 26th, 2025
Roman numerals are a way of expressing numbers using symbols such as I, V, X, L, C, D, and M. They are used in royal titles, book names, sequences, and more. Here, we will be discussing Roman numerals, rules, and examples.
Have you ever seen royal titles like Henry V, Henry VIII, and so on, and wondered what those symbols represent? Those are Roman numerals. In ancient times, people counted using fingers, sticks, and other objects, but as life became more complex, a standardized system was needed.
The Romans developed the Roman numeral system to count, using the symbols I (1), V (5), X (10), L (50), C (100), D (500), and M (1000). In Roman numerals, we use DXVII to represent 517, where D is 500, X is 10, and VII is 7.
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 to remember when writing numbers in Roman numerals.
The addition method is used when a smaller number is placed after a larger number. For example, XVII → X + V + II → 10 + 5 + 2 = 17
Certain Roman numerals like I, X, C, and M can be repeated up to three times to represent numbers. For example, III → 3.
If a smaller number precedes a larger number in Roman numerals, we subtract the smaller 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 won't write VV for 10; instead, we use X, and for 8, we write VIII, not IIIIIIII.
Let’s now learn how to write 517 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 517 in Roman numerals using the expansion method. To write 517 in Roman Numerals, follow these steps:
Step 1: Break the number based on place value: hundreds, tens, ones, etc. For 517, we write it as 500 + 10 + 7
Step 2: Convert each number into Roman numerals
Step 3: Combine the Roman numerals together. Therefore, 517 in Roman numerals is D (500) + X (10) + VII (7) = DXVII
When writing a large number into Roman numerals, we group the numbers. To write 517 in Roman numerals, we group 517 as 500 + 10 + 7
So, 517 is written as DXVII in Roman numerals.
Students often make mistakes when writing numbers in Roman numerals. To master Roman numerals, it's helpful to learn about common mistakes and ways to avoid them.
Calculate the sum of DXVII and LXXXIII.
The sum of DXVII and LXXXIII is DC.
In Roman numerals, DXVII is 517 and LXXXIII is 83. The sum of DXVII and LXXXIII is 517 + 83 = 600.
600 in Roman numerals is DC.
A historian finds a document stating that DCCXXXV artifacts were distributed among CXXV museums. How many artifacts did each museum receive?
Each museum received VI artifacts.
To find the number of artifacts each museum received, divide the total number of artifacts by the number of museums. That is DCCXXXV / CXXV. DCCXXXV = 735, CXXV = 125. Therefore, 735 / 125 = 5.88, but since each museum can only receive whole artifacts, they receive VI (6) artifacts.
A collector has a set of CDXXIII coins and adds DXXXIV more coins to his collection. What is the total number of coins he has now?
The total number of coins is CMLVII.
In Roman numerals, CDXXIII is 423 and DXXXIV is 534. Adding them together gives 423 + 534 = 957. 957 in Roman numerals is CMLVII.
A math teacher asks students to find the difference between DXL and DXVII.
The difference between DXL and DXVII is XXIII.
The difference of two numbers is the value obtained by subtracting one number from another. DXL = 540, DXVII = 517. Therefore, 540 - 517 = 23. 23 in Roman numerals can be written as XXIII.
Convert the sum of 517 and 283 into Roman numerals using the expansion method.
The Roman numeral for 517 + 283 is DCCC.
Step 1: Convert the numbers 517 and 283 into Roman numerals 517 - DXVII 283 - CCLXXXIII Add the numbers together: 517 + 283 = 800 Using the expansion method: 800 = 500 + 300 = DCCC
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.