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., to count earlier. 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 DCLIX to represent 659, where D is 500, C is 100, L is 50, and IX is 9. 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, DCLIX → D + C + L + IX → 500 + 100 + 50 + 9 = 659.
To write a large number, there are certain Roman Numerals that can be repeated up to three times. For example, CCC → 300.
If a small number is followed by a large number in Roman Numerals, we subtract the smaller number from the larger number. 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 DD for 1000; instead, we use M.
Let’s now learn how to write 659 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 659 in Roman numerals using the expansion method. To write 659 in Roman Numerals, follow the steps:
Step 1: The number is broken based on the place value. Place values are ones, tens, hundreds, etc. For 659, we write it as 500 + 100 + 50 + 9.
Step 2: Converting the number into Roman Numerals:
Step 3: Combining the Roman Numerals together. Therefore, 659 in Roman Numeral is D (500) + C (100) + L (50) + IX (9) = DCLIX.
When writing a large number into Roman Numerals, we group the number. To write 659 in Roman Numerals, we group 659 as 500 + 100 + 50 + 9.
So, 659 is written as DCLIX 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.
Convert the Roman numeral DCLIX into an Arabic numeral.
DCLIX is equal to 659 in Arabic numerals.
To convert DCLIX to an Arabic numeral, we break it down:
D = 500
C = 100
L = 50
IX = 9
Adding these values together:
500 + 100 + 50 + 9 = 659.
A historian finds a document stating that DCLIX coins were distributed among XIII chieftains equally. How many coins did each chieftain receive?
Each chieftain received LI coins.
To find the number of coins each chieftain received, divide the total number of coins by the number of chieftains:
DCLIX = 659
XIII = 13
659 / 13 = 50
with a remainder of 9.
In Roman numerals, 50 is L and 9 is IX, so each chieftain receives LI coins.
Calculate the difference between DCC and DCLIX.
The difference between DCC and DCLIX is XLI.
DCC = 700
DCLIX = 659
700 - 659 = 41
41 in Roman numerals is XLI.
A collector has DCLIX artifacts and plans to add XL more. What will be the total number of artifacts?
The total number of artifacts will be DCCXCIX.
DCLIX = 659
XL = 40
659 + 40 = 699
699 in Roman numerals is DCCXCIX.
Write the expression for 600 + 59 using Roman numerals and find their sum.
The expression is DC + LIX, and their sum is DCLIX.
600 in Roman numerals is DC.
59 in Roman numerals is LIX.
Adding these values:
DC + LIX = DCLIX.
Therefore, the sum of 600 + 59 is 659, which is DCLIX in Roman numerals.
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.