Last updated on May 26th, 2025
Roman numerals are a system of expressing numbers using symbols. The symbols I, V, X, L, C, D, and M are used. Roman numerals are often found in royal titles, book names, sequences, and more. Here, we will discuss Roman numerals, their rules, and provide examples.
Royal titles such as Henry I, Henry II, and so on use Roman numerals. Have you ever wondered what these symbols like I and II represent?
They are Roman numerals. In ancient times, people used fingers, sticks, bones, etc., to count. As life grew more complex, a standardized system was needed. The ancient Romans developed the Roman numeral system. The symbols used are I (1), V (5), X (10), L (50), C (100), D (500), and M (1000).
In Roman numerals, we use DCCCLXV to represent 865. Here, D is 500, CCC is 300, L is 50, X is 10, and V is 5. Let’s learn more about Roman numerals and how we write them.
There are basic rules to write numbers in Roman numerals. In this section, we’ll discuss these rules that must be remembered.
The addition method is used when a smaller number is placed after a larger number. For example, DCCCLXV → D + CCC + L + X + V → 500 + 300 + 50 + 10 + 5 = 865.
Certain Roman numerals can be repeated up to three times. For example, CCC → 300.
If a smaller number precedes a larger number, it’s subtracted. For example, IV → V - I → 5 - 1 = 4.
Symbols cannot be repeated more than three times, and some symbols like V, L, and D cannot be repeated. For example, we write 10 as X, not VV, and 8 as VIII, not IIIIIIII.
Let’s learn how to write 865 in Roman numerals using different methods: By Expansion Method By Grouping Method
In the expansion method, numbers are broken down based on place value. Here’s how to write 865 in Roman numerals using this method.
Step 1: Break the number based on place values: hundreds, tens, and ones. For 865, write it as 800 + 60 + 5.
Step 2: Convert each number into Roman numerals.
800 in Roman numerals — DCCC
60 in Roman numerals — LX
5 in Roman numerals — V
Step 3: Combine the Roman numerals together.
Therefore, 865 in Roman numerals is DCCC (800) + LX (60) + V (5) = DCCCLXV.
When writing a large number in Roman numerals, group the numbers.
To write 865 in Roman numerals, group as 800 + 60 + 5.
800 in Roman numerals — DCCC
60 in Roman numerals — LX
5 in Roman numerals — V
Thus, 865 is written as DCCCLXV in Roman numerals.
Students often make mistakes when writing numbers in Roman numerals. Let’s learn about some common mistakes and how to avoid them.
A historian finds a manuscript with DCCCLXV written on it. If the manuscript is 135 years older than another document dated DCCXXX, what is the year of the older document?
The year of the older document is M.
DCCCLXV is 865 in Roman numerals and DCCXXX is 730.
The difference is 865 - 730 = 135.
Therefore, the older document's year is 865 + 135 = 1000.
1000 in Roman numerals is M.
A museum has DCCCLXV artifacts, and they are equally distributed among V sections. How many artifacts are in each section?
Each section will have CLXXIII artifacts.
To find the number of artifacts in each section, divide the total number of artifacts by the number of sections.
DCCCLXV = 865 and V = 5.
865 ÷ 5 = 173,
which in Roman numerals is CLXXIII.
In an ancient competition, the scores of two teams were CDXLV and CDXX. What was the total score in Roman numerals?
The total score is DCCCLXV.
The sum of CDXLV and CDXX is:
CDXLV = 445 and CDXX = 420.
445 + 420 = 865, which in Roman numerals is DCCCLXV.
A library receives donations of three sets of books: CCC, CCC, and CCLXV. What is the total number of books?
The total number of books is DCCCLXV.
Add the Roman numerals:
CCC = 300,
CCC = 300, and CCLXV = 265.
The sum is 300 + 300 + 265 = 865.
865 in Roman numerals is DCCCLXV.
Convert the result of 54 × 16 into Roman numerals.
The result of 54 × 16 in Roman numerals is DCCCLXIV.
First, calculate the product: 54 × 16 = 864.
then convert 864 into Roman numerals:
864 = 800 + 60 + 4 = DCCC + LX + IV = DCCCLXIV.
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.