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, often use Roman Numerals. Have you noticed the names and wondered what these symbols (I and II) represented? Those are the Roman Numerals.
Earlier people used fingers, sticks, bones, etc., to count. As life became more 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 DCCCLXXV to represent 875, where D is 500, CCC is 300, L is 50, XX is 20, 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, DCCCLXXV → D + CCC + L + XX + V → 500 + 300 + 50 + 20 + 5 = 875
To write a large number, certain Roman Numerals can be repeated up to 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. This is the subtraction method. 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 LL for 100; instead, we use C.
Let’s now learn how to write 875 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 875 in Roman numerals using the expansion method. To write 875 in Roman Numerals, follow the steps:
Step 1: Break the number based on the place value. Place values are ones, tens, hundreds, etc. For 875, we write it as 500 + 300 + 50 + 20 + 5.
Step 2: Convert the numbers into Roman Numerals.
Step 3: Combine the Roman Numerals together. Therefore, 875 in Roman Numeral is D (500) + CCC (300) + L (50) + XX (20) + V (5) = DCCCLXXV
When writing a large number in Roman Numeral, we group the number. To write 875 in Roman Numeral, we group 875 as 500 + 300 + 50 + 20 + 5
So, 875 is written as DCCCLXXV 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.
An architect needs to divide DCCCLXXV bricks equally among VII groups. How many bricks will each group receive?
Each group will receive CXXV bricks.
To find out how many bricks each group will receive, divide the total number of bricks by the number of groups.
DCCCLXXV = 875
VII = 7
875 ÷ 7 = 125
125 in Roman Numerals can be written as CXXV.
A historian finds a document dated DCCC years after another document dated LXXV. In what year was the later document written?
The later document was written in the year DCCCLXXV.
The date of the later document is the sum of the two dates.
DCCC = 800
LXXV = 75
800 + 75 = 875
875 in Roman Numerals is DCCCLXXV.
Calculate the difference in age between a monument built in the year CMXXX and one built in the year DCCCLXXV.
The difference in age between the monuments is LV.
The difference in years is found by subtracting the earlier year from the later year.
CMXXX = 930
DCCCLXXV = 875
930 - 875 = 55
55 in Roman Numerals can be written as LV.
If a treasure chest contains a total of DCCCLXXV gold coins and each pirate receives CXXV coins, how many pirates are there?
There are VII pirates.
To find the number of pirates, divide the total number of coins by the number of coins each pirate receives.
DCCCLXXV = 875
CXXV = 125
875 ÷ 125 = 7
7 in Roman Numerals can be written as VII.
A king wants to write the date of his victory in Roman numerals using the formula: (500 + 300 + 50 + 20 + 5). What is the date in Roman numerals?
The date in Roman numerals is DCCCLXXV.
Using the expansion method, break down the number into parts and convert each part into Roman numerals.
500 = D
300 = CCC
50 = L
20 = XX
5 = V
Adding them together:
D + CCC + L + XX + V = DCCCLXXV.
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.