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 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 DCCCLXXXV to represent 885, here D is 500, CCC is 300, L is 50, XXX is 30, 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.
Rule 1: Addition Method
The addition method is used when the smaller number is placed after the larger number. For example, LXXX → L + X + X + X → 50 + 10 + 10 + 10 = 80.
Rule 2: Repetition Method
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 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, and 8 is written as VIII, not IIIIIIII.
Let’s now learn how to write 885 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 885 in Roman numerals using the expansion method. To write 885 in Roman numerals, follow the steps:
Step 1: The number is broken down based on the place value. Place values are ones, tens, hundreds, etc. For 885, we write it as 500 + 300 + 50 + 30 + 5.
Step 2: Converting the number into Roman numerals:
Step 3: Combining the Roman numerals together. Therefore, 885 in Roman numerals is D (500) + CCC (300) + L (50) + XXX (30) + V (5) = DCCCLXXXV
When writing a large number into Roman numerals, we group the number. To write 885 in Roman numerals, we group 885 as 500 + 300 + 50 + 30 + 5.
So, 885 is written as DCCCLXXXV 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.
A historian found a scroll dated DCCCXL and another from XLV years later. What is the year of the later scroll in Roman numerals?
The year of the later scroll is DCCCLXXXV.
The historian needs to add the years from the first scroll and the years later.
DCCCXL = 840
XLV = 45
840 + 45 = 885
885 in Roman Numerals can be written as DCCCLXXXV.
A collector has DCCCXC coins and decides to give V coins to each of his friends. How many friends can he give coins to?
The collector can give coins to CLXXVII friends.
To find out how many friends the collector can give coins to, divide the total number of coins by the coins each friend receives.
DCCCXC = 890
V = 5
890 / 5 = 178
178 in Roman Numerals is CLXXVIII.
Calculate the result of DCCC divided by XV and express it in Roman numerals.
The result of DCCC divided by XV is LIII.
To find the result, divide the numbers.
DCCC = 800
XV = 15
800 / 15 = 53
53 in Roman Numerals is LIII.
A museum exhibit has DCCCXLV artifacts and plans to showcase them over XX days, displaying an equal number each day. How many artifacts will be displayed daily?
Each day, XLII artifacts will be displayed.
Divide the total number of artifacts by the number of days to find the daily display count.
DCCCXLV = 845
XX = 20
845 / 20 = 42
42 in Roman Numerals is XLII.
Write the Roman Numeral for adding DCCCLX and XXV using the expansion method.
The Roman numeral for DCCCLX + XXV is DCCCLXXXV.
Step 1: Convert the numbers to Roman numerals.
DCCCLX = 860
XXV = 25
Add the numbers together:
860 + 25 = 885
Using the expansion method:
885 = 800 + 80 + 5 = DCCCLXXXV.
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.