Last updated on May 26th, 2025
Roman numerals are the 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 DCII to represent 602, where D is 500, C is 100, and II is 2. 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, DCII → D + C + I + I → 500 + 100 + 1 + 1 = 602
To write a large number, certain Roman Numerals can be repeated up to three times. III → 3.
If a small number is followed by a large number in Roman Numerals, we subtract the smaller number from the larger 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 for 8, we write VIII, not IIIIIIII.
Let’s now learn how to write 602 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 602 in Roman numerals using the expansion method. To write 602 in Roman Numerals, follow these steps,
Step 1: Break the number based on the place value. The place values are ones, tens, hundreds, etc. For 602, we write it as 500 + 100 + 2
Step 2: Convert the numbers into Roman Numerals
Step 3: Combine the Roman Numerals together. Therefore, 602 in Roman Numeral is D (500) + C (100) + II (2) = DCII.
When writing a large number into Roman Numerals, we group the number. To write 602 in Roman Numeral, we group 602 as 500 + 100 + 2
So, 602 is written as DCII 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 counts the number of ancient artifacts in two collections, DC and CXII. Find the total number of artifacts in both collections.
The total number of artifacts in both collections is DCCXIV
In Roman numerals, DC is 600 and CXII is 112.
The sum of DC and CXII is 600 + 112 = 712.
712 in Roman Numerals can be written as DCCXIV.
A museum has DCCCIV visitors in a week. If the museum operates VI days a week, find the average number of visitors per day.
The average number of visitors per day is CXXXIV
To find the average number of visitors per day, divide the total number of visitors by the number of days.
DCCCIV / VI
DCCCIV = 804
VI = 6
Therefore, 804 / 6 = 134. 134 in Roman numerals can be written as CXXXIV.
A researcher notes the centuries spanned by two ancient empires as CCC and CCCII. Determine the combined span of both empires in centuries.
The combined span of both empires is DCII
The sum of the centuries is the result of adding the spans of the two empires.
CCC = 300
CCCII = 302
300 + 302 = 602
602 in Roman Numerals is DCII.
During an excavation, archaeologists discover XX ancient coins in one site and DCII in another. What is the difference in the number of coins found between the two sites?
The difference in the number of coins between the two sites is DLXXXII
The difference is found by subtracting the number of coins in the first site from the second.
DCII = 602
XX = 20
602 - 20 = 582
582 in Roman Numerals can be written as DLXXXII.
A collection has 602 unique stamps. If LXII new stamps are added, write the total number of stamps in Roman numerals using the expansion method.
The total number of stamps is DCLXIV
Step 1: Convert the numbers 602 and 62 into Roman numerals.
602 - DCII
62 - LXII
Add the numbers together: 602 + 62 = 664
Using the expansion method: 664 = 600 + 60 + 4 = DCLXIV.
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.