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. 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 DLVII to represent 557, where D is 500, L is 50, 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 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, VII → V + II → 5 + 2 = 7.
To write a large number, there are certain Roman numerals that can be repeated up to three times. III → 3.
If a small number precedes a large number in Roman numerals, we subtract the smaller number from the large number, following the 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, and for 8, we write VIII, not IIIIIIII.
Let’s now learn how to write 557 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. In this section, we will learn how to write 557 in Roman numerals using the expansion method.
To write 557 in Roman numerals, follow these steps:
Step 1: Break the number based on place value, which is hundreds, tens, and ones. For 557, we write it as 500 + 50 + 7.
Step 2: Convert the number into Roman numerals.
500 in Roman numerals - D
50 in Roman numerals - L
7 in Roman numerals - VII
Step 3: Combine the Roman numerals together. Therefore, 557 in Roman numerals is D (500) + L (50) + VII (7) = DLVII.
When writing a large number in Roman numerals, we group the numbers. To write 557 in Roman numerals, we group 557 as 500 + 50 + 7.
So, 557 is written as DLVII in Roman numerals.
Students 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.
Find the result of dividing MMDLXXXV by V.
The result of dividing MMDLXXXV by V is DLXVII.
MMDLXXXV is 2585 and V is 5.
Dividing 2585 by 5 gives us 517.
517 in Roman Numerals is DLXVII.
A historian has documented MDCCCLXVII artifacts and wants to distribute them equally into XXIII collections. How many artifacts will each collection contain?
Each collection will contain LXXXI artifacts.
MDCCCLXVII is 1867 and XXIII is 23.
Dividing 1867 by 23 gives us 81.
81 in Roman Numerals is LXXXI.
Calculate the sum of DL and CVII.
The sum of DL and CVII is DLVII.
DL is 550 and CVII is 107.
Adding 550 and 107 gives us 657.
657 in Roman Numerals is DLVII.
Determine the difference between DC and CXLIII.
The difference between DC and CXLIII is CDLVI.
DC is 600 and CXLIII is 143.
Subtracting 143 from 600 gives us 457.
457 in Roman Numerals is CDLVI.
Write the Roman Numeral for 312 + 245 using the expansion method.
The Roman Numeral for 312 + 245 is DLVII.
Step 1: Convert the numbers 312 and 245 into Roman numerals:
312 - CCCXII
245 - CCXLV
Add the numbers together: 312 + 245 = 557
Using expansion method: 557 = 500 + 50 + 7 = DLVII `
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.