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.
Royal titles, such as Henry I, Henry II, and so on, often use Roman Numerals. Have you noticed these symbols (I, II) and wondered what they represent?
They are Roman Numerals. In ancient times, people counted using fingers, sticks, bones, etc. As life became more complex, a standardized form was required for counting. The ancient Romans used the Roman Numeral system to count. The symbols we use are I (1), V (5), X (10), L (50), C (100), D (500), and M (1000).
In Roman Numerals, we use DCCCLIV to represent 854, where D is 500, CCC is 300, L is 50, and IV is 4. 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, certain Roman Numerals 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 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 DDD for 1500; instead, we use MD for 1500.
Let’s now learn how to write 854 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 854 in Roman numerals using the expansion method.
To write 854 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 854, we write it as 800 + 50 + 4.
Step 2: Convert the number into Roman Numerals.
800 in Roman Numeral — DCCC
50 in Roman Numeral — L
4 in Roman Numeral — IV
Step 3: Combine the Roman Numerals together.
Therefore, 854 in Roman Numeral is DCCC (800) + L (50) + IV (4) = DCCCLIV
When writing a large number into Roman Numerals, we group the number.
To write 854 in Roman Numeral, we group 854 as 800 + 50 + 4.
800 in Roman Numeral — DCCC
50 in Roman Numeral — L
4 in Roman Numeral — IV
So, 854 is written as DCCCLIV in Roman Numerals.
Students 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 sum of DCCC and LIV into Roman numerals.
The sum of DCCC and LIV in Roman numerals is DCCCLIV.
In Roman numerals, DCCC is 800 and LIV is 54.
The sum of DCCC and LIV is 800 + 54 = 854.
Therefore, 854 in Roman numerals is DCCCLIV.
A historian is studying the year DCCCLIV. If this year were split into two parts, one being DCCC and the other being LIV, what would be their decimal values and the total?
DCCC is 800 and LIV is 54. Their total in decimal is 854.
To find decimal values: DCCC = 800
LIV = 54
The sum of DCCC and LIV is 800 + 54 = 854.
Thus, the year DCCCLIV is 854 in decimal.
An ancient artifact displays the number DCCCLXIV. If its value is decreased by X, what is the new value in Roman numerals?
The new value in Roman numerals is DCCCLIV.
DCCCLXIV is 864 in decimal.
If you decrease it by X (which is 10), you get 864 - 10 = 854.
Therefore, the new Roman numeral is DCCCLIV.
A scroll was found with the number DCCCLX inscribed on it. If LIX is added to this number, what is the total in Roman numerals?
The total in Roman numerals is DCCCLXIX.
DCCCLX is 860 in decimal and LIX is 59.
Adding them gives 860 + 59 = 919.
Therefore, the total in Roman numerals is DCCCLXIX.
Write the Roman Numeral for the subtraction of DCII from DCCCCLVI.
The Roman numeral for the subtraction is DCCCLIV.
To perform the subtraction:
DCCCCLVI = 956
DCII = 602
Subtracting these gives 956 - 602 = 354.
Therefore, 354 in Roman numerals is DCCCLIV.
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.