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 to count using 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 DXXIII to represent 523, where D is 500, XX is 20, and III is 3.
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, DXXIII → D + XX + III → 500 + 20 + 3 = 523
To write a large number, there are certain Roman numerals that can be repeated three times. III → 3.
If a small number is followed by a large number in Roman numerals, we subtract the smaller number from the large number. This is a subtraction method. 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.
Let’s now learn how to write 523 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 523 in Roman numerals using the expansion method. To write 523 in Roman numerals, follow the steps:
Step 1: Break the number based on the place value. Place value includes ones, tens, hundreds, etc. For 523, we write it as 500 + 20 + 3
Step 2: Convert the number into Roman numerals 500 in
Step 3: Combine the Roman numerals together. Therefore, 523 in Roman numerals is D (500) + XX (20) + III (3) = DXXIII
When writing a large number into Roman numerals, we group the number. To write 523 in Roman numerals, we group 523 as 500 + 20 + 3
So, 523 is written as DXXIII in Roman numerals.
Students often 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 wants to categorize DXXIII ancient artifacts into XIII display cases equally. How many artifacts will each case contain?
Each display case will contain XLIII artifacts.
To find the number of artifacts per display case, divide the total number of artifacts by the total number of cases.
DXXIII = 523
XIII = 13
523 ÷ 13 = 43
43 in Roman Numerals is XLIII.
A collector acquires a set of CCCXLV stamps and plans to add DXXIII more. What will be the total number of stamps?
The total number of stamps will be DCCCLXVIII.
To find the total number of stamps, add the current number of stamps to the new set.
CCCXLV = 345
DXXIII = 523
345 + 523 = 868
868 in Roman Numerals is DCCCLXVIII.
Determine the difference when DXXIII is subtracted from MCMXLVI.
The difference when DXXIII is subtracted from MCMXLVI is MCDXXIII.
The difference of two numbers is found by subtracting one number from another.
MCMXLVI = 1946
DXXIII = 523
1946 - 523 = 1423
1423 in Roman Numerals is MCDXXIII.
A clockmaker designed a clock face with numbers from I to XII. If a pattern requires the use of DXXIII segments, how many more segments are needed to reach M?
An additional CDLXXVII segments are needed to reach M.
To find how many more segments are needed to reach M, subtract the current segments from M.
M = 1000
DXXIII = 523
1000 - 523 = 477
477 in Roman Numerals is CDLXXVII.
Write the Roman Numeral for 523 + 777 using the expansion method.
The Roman numeral for 523 + 777 is MCCC.
Step 1: Convert the numbers 523 and 777 into Roman numerals.
523 - DXXIII
777 - DCCLXXVII
Add the numbers together: 523 + 777 = 1300
Using the expansion method: 1300 = 1000 + 300 = MCCC
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.