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 more. Here we will be discussing Roman numerals, their rules, and examples.
Royal titles, such as Henry I, Henry II, and so on, often feature Roman numerals. Have you noticed these symbols and wondered what they represent? Those are Roman numerals.
Ancient people used methods such as counting with fingers, sticks, or bones. As life became more complex, a standard form was required to count. Ancient Romans used the Roman numeral system for counting. The symbols I (1), V (5), X (10), L (50), C (100), D (500), and M (1000) are used.
In Roman numerals, we use DXC to represent 590, where D is 500, X is 10, and C is 100. 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 a smaller number is placed after a larger number. For example, VI → V + I → 5 + 1 = 6
Some Roman numerals can be repeated up to three times. For example, III → 3.
If a smaller number is placed before a larger number in Roman numerals, we subtract the smaller number from the larger number. For example, IX → X - I → 10 - 1 = 9
Symbols cannot be repeated more than three times, and some symbols like V, L, and D cannot be repeated. For example, we write 8 as VIII, not IIIIIIII.
Let’s now learn how to write 590 in Roman numerals. Follow these methods to write the number in Roman numerals:
In the expansion method, based on place value, the number is broken down. In this section, we will learn how to write 590 in Roman numerals using the expansion method. To write 590 in Roman numerals, follow these steps:
Step 1: Break the number based on place value. For 590, we write it as 500 + 90.
Step 2: Convert the numbers into Roman numerals.
500 in Roman numerals - D
90 in Roman numerals - XC
Step 3: Combine the Roman numerals together. Therefore, 590 in Roman numerals is D (500) + XC (90) = DXC
When writing a large number in Roman numerals, we group the number. To write 590 in Roman numerals, we group 590 as 500 + 90.
500 in Roman numerals - D
90 in Roman numerals - XC
So, 590 is written as DXC 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 ways to avoid them.
Convert the year DLXIX to a modern calendar year and determine how many years ago it was from 2023.
The year DLXIX is 569, which was 1454 years ago from 2023.
DLXIX in Roman Numerals is 569.
To find how many years ago it was from 2023,
we subtract 569 from 2023: 2023 - 569 = 1454.
A historian is analyzing the number of artifacts labeled with the Roman numeral DLXXXX. How many artifacts are there in total, if the number is doubled?
There are 1180 artifacts in total.
DLXXXX in Roman Numerals is actually incorrect.
The correct numeral for 590 is DXC.
If we assume DLXXXX was meant to represent 590, then doubling this number gives us 590 × 2 = 1180.
If a book mentions a historic event that occurred in DXL and another event in DLXXXX, how many years apart are these events?
The events are 50 years apart.
DXL is 540 in Roman Numerals.
DLXXXX is an incorrect format, but assuming it meant 590 (DXC), the difference between these years is:
590 - 540 = 50.
A collection of coins has numbers written in Roman numerals. If one coin is labeled CCCCLXXXX and another is labeled DXC, which coin was minted first?
The coin labeled CCCCLXXXX was minted first.
CCCCLXXXX is an incorrect numeral. Assuming it meant 590 (DXC), both coins are labeled as 590.
However, if CCCCLXXXX was meant to represent 490 (CDXC), then 490 is earlier than 590.
A museum exhibit features a timeline that starts at year CDXC and ends at DLXXXX. How long is the timeline in years?
The timeline is 100 years long.
CDXC is the Roman numeral for 490.
DLXXXX is an incorrect numeral, but assuming it meant 590 (DXC), the length of the timeline is: 590 - 490 = 100.
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.