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 DCXV to represent 615, where D is 500, C is 100, X is 10, and V is 5. 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, DCXV → D + C + X + V → 500 + 100 + 10 + 5 = 615.
To write a larger number, there are certain Roman Numerals that can be repeated three times. For example, CCC → 300.
If a small number precedes a large number in Roman Numerals, we subtract the smaller number from the large number. For example, XL → L - X → 50 - 10 = 40.
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 615 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 615 in Roman numerals using the expansion method. To write 615 in Roman Numerals, follow these steps:
Step 1: Break the number based on the place value. Place values are ones, tens, hundreds, etc. For 615, we write it as 500 + 100 + 10 + 5.
Step 2: Convert the number into Roman Numerals.
D in Roman Numeral - 500
C in Roman Numeral - 100
X in Roman Numeral - 10
V in Roman Numeral - 5
Step 3: Combine the Roman Numerals together. Therefore, 615 in Roman Numerals is D (500) + C (100) + X (10) + V (5) = DCXV.
When writing a large number into Roman Numerals, we group the number. To write 615 in Roman Numerals, we group 615 as 500 + 100 + 10 + 5.
So, 615 is written as DCXV in Roman Numerals.
Students often 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 is cataloging ancient coins. If each coin is marked with DCXV, and he finds a collection of XXV coins, what is the total value of the coins?
The total value of the coins is XV,375.
Each coin is marked with DCXV, which is 615 in Roman numerals. The historian finds XXV coins, which is 25 in Roman numerals. To find the total value, multiply the value of one coin by the number of coins:
615 × 25 = 15,375. 15,375 in Roman numerals is XV,375.
An architect is designing a building with DCLXV floors, and each floor has IX rooms. How many rooms are in the entire building?
The total number of rooms in the building is V,CCCLXXXV.
The building has DCLXV floors, which is 665 in Roman numerals, and each floor has IX rooms, which is 9 in Roman numerals. Multiply the number of floors by the number of rooms per floor:
665 × 9 = 5,385. 5,385 in Roman numerals is V,CCCLXXXV.
A treasure chest contains DCXV gold coins and CCLV silver coins. What is the total number of coins in the chest?
The total number of coins in the chest is DCCCLXX.
The chest contains DCXV gold coins, which is 615 in Roman numerals, and CCLV silver coins, which is 255 in Roman numerals. Add the number of gold and silver coins:
615 + 255 = 870.
870 in Roman numerals is DCCCLXX.
During a marathon, a runner covers DCXV kilometers in the first half and XXX kilometers in the second half. What is the total distance covered by the runner?
The total distance covered by the runner is DCXLV kilometers.
The runner covers DCXV kilometers, which is 615 in Roman numerals, in the first half and XXX kilometers, which is 30 in Roman numerals, in the second half. Add the distances:
615 + 30 = 645.
645 in Roman numerals is DCXLV.
A museum had an exhibition with DCXV artifacts. After a theft, only CCCXLII artifacts remain. How many artifacts were stolen?
The number of artifacts stolen is CCLXXIII.
The exhibition originally had DCXV artifacts, which is 615 in Roman numerals, and CCCXLII artifacts remain, which is 342 in Roman numerals. Subtract the remaining artifacts from the original number:
615 - 342 = 273.
273 in Roman numerals is CCLXXIII.
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.