Last updated on May 26th, 2025
Roman numerals are a way of expressing numbers using symbols: I, V, X, L, C, D, and M. Roman numerals are used in royal titles, book names, sequences, and more. Here, we will discuss Roman numerals, rules, and examples.
Royal titles, such as Henry I, Henry II, and so on, use Roman numerals. Have you noticed the names and wondered what these symbols (I and II) represented? Those are Roman numerals.
In ancient times, people used fingers, sticks, and bones to count. As society became more complex, a standardized counting system was needed. Ancient Romans developed the Roman numeral system for counting. 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 DCCCXCVI to represent 896, where D is 500, CCC is 300, XC is 90, and VI is 6. 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 a smaller number is placed after a larger number. For example, VI → V + I → 5 + 1 = 6.
To write large numbers, certain Roman numerals can be repeated up to three times. For example, CCC → 300.
If a smaller number precedes a larger number in Roman numerals, we subtract the smaller number from the larger number. For example, XC → C - X → 100 - 10 = 90.
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.
Let’s now learn how to write 896 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 896 in Roman numerals using the expansion method. To write 896 in Roman numerals, follow these steps:
Step 1: Break the number based on place value: hundreds, tens, and ones. For 896, we write it as 800 + 90 + 6.
Step 2: Convert the number into Roman numerals.
Step 3: Combine the Roman numerals together. Therefore, 896 in Roman numerals is DCCC (800) + XC (90) + VI (6) = DCCCXCVI.
When writing a large number into Roman numerals, we group the number. To write 896 in Roman numerals, we group it as 800 + 90 + 6.
So, 896 is written as DCCCXCVI in Roman numerals.
Students often make mistakes when writing a number in Roman numerals. To master Roman numerals, we can learn a few common mistakes and how to avoid them.
A historian wants to date a manuscript from DCCCXLII and add LIV years to understand its age in another era. What is the total year in Roman numerals?
The total year in Roman numerals is DCCCXCVI
To find the total year, add the two numbers together:
DCCCXLII = 842
LIV = 54 842 + 54 = 896
Thus, 896 in Roman numerals is DCCCXCVI
An architect is designing a building with CMXVI columns, but due to budget constraints, he must reduce the number by XX columns. How many columns remain, expressed in Roman numerals?
The number of columns remaining is DCCCXCVI
Subtract the two numbers to find the remaining columns:
CMXVI = 916
XX = 20
916 - 20 = 896
896 in Roman numerals is DCCCXCVI
A mathematician is working on a sequence that starts at DCCC and adds XCVII repeatedly. What is the third term in the sequence in Roman numerals?
The third term in the sequence is DCCCXCVI
To find the third term, first add XCVII to DCCC:
DCCC = 800
XCVII = 97
800 + 97 = 897 (second term) 897 - 1 (to find third term, remove excess) = 896
896 in Roman numerals is DCCCXCVI
An art collector has a painting valued at CMXC and wants to decrease its value by XCIV. What is the new value in Roman numerals?
The new value of the painting is DCCCXCVI
Subtract the decrease in value from the original value:
CMXC = 990
XCIV = 94
990 - 94 = 896
896 in Roman numerals is DCCCXCVI
A teacher is creating a timeline and starts with the year DCCCXC. He wants to add VI years to find a significant event. What is the new year in Roman numerals?
The new year on the timeline is DCCCXCVI
Add the two years together to find the new year:
DCCCXC = 890
VI = 6
890 + 6 = 896
896 in Roman numerals is DCCCXCVI
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.