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 DLXXXVI to represent 586, where D is 500, L is 50, X is 10, 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 the smaller number is placed after the larger number. For example, VI → V + I → 5 + 1 = 6.
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. For example, IV → V - I → 5 - 1 = 4.
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 8 we write as VIII, not IIIIIIII.
Let’s now learn how to write 586 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 586 in Roman numerals using the expansion method. To write 586 in Roman Numerals, follow the steps:
Step 1: The number is broken based on the place value. Place values include ones, tens, hundreds, etc. For 586, we write it as 500 + 80 + 6.
Step 2: Converting the number into Roman Numerals:
Step 3: Combining the Roman Numerals together. Therefore, 586 in Roman Numerals is D (500) + LXXX (80) + VI (6) = DLXXXVI.
When writing a large number into Roman Numerals, we group the number. To write 586 in Roman Numerals, we group 586 as 500 + 80 + 6.
So, 586 is written as DLXXXVI 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.
A historian found a manuscript from the year DLXXXVI. What year was the manuscript from in Arabic numerals?
The manuscript is from the year 586.
DLXXXVI is the Roman numeral representation of the year 586.
D = 500, L = 50, XXX = 30, VI = 6.
Adding these values gives us 500 + 50 + 30 + 6 = 586.
A museum received DLXXXVI artifacts. If they decide to display XLVIII of them, how many artifacts remain in storage?
There are DXXXVIII artifacts remaining in storage.
First, we convert the Roman numerals to numbers:
DLXXXVI = 586 and XLVIII = 48.
Subtracting gives 586 - 48 = 538.
To convert 538 to Roman numerals:
500 = D, 30 = XXX, 8 = VIII, so 538 = DXXXVIII.
A researcher is cataloging pages from an ancient book and finds that the total number of pages is DLXXXVI. If she has already cataloged CCLXXX pages, how many pages does she have left to catalog?
She has CCCVI pages left to catalog.
First, convert the Roman numerals to numbers:
DLXXXVI = 586 and CCLXXX = 280.
Subtracting gives 586 - 280 = 306.
To convert 306 to Roman numerals:
300 = CCC, 6 = VI, so 306 = CCCVI.
An architect is designing a building with floors numbered in Roman numerals, starting from the ground floor as I. If the top floor is numbered DLXXXVI, how many floors does the building have?
The building has 586 floors.
The top floor is numbered DLXXXVI, which is 586 in Roman numerals. Since the ground floor starts as I (1), the building has a total of 586 floors.
Convert the sum of 486 and C to Roman numerals.
The sum is DLXXXVI.
First, convert C to a number: C = 100. Add this to 486, giving 486 + 100 = 586.
Convert 586 to Roman numerals: 500 = D, 80 = LXXX, 6 = VI.
Therefore, 586 = DLXXXVI.
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.