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 CMII to represent 902, where CM is 900 (1000 - 100) and II is 2 (1 + 1). 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, II → I + I → 1 + 1 = 2.
To write a large number, there are certain Roman Numerals that can be repeated three times. III → 3.
If a smaller number is followed by a larger number in Roman Numerals, we subtract the smaller number from the larger number. For example, CM → M - C → 1000 - 100 = 900.
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.
Let’s now learn how to write 902 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 902 in Roman numerals using the expansion method. To write 902 in Roman Numerals, follow the steps:
Step 1: The number is broken based on the place value. Place values are ones, tens, hundreds, etc. For 902, we write it as 900 + 2.
Step 2: Converting the number into Roman Numerals
Step 3: Combining the Roman Numerals together. Therefore, 902 in Roman Numerals is CM (900) + II (2) = CMII
When writing a large number into Roman Numerals, we group the number. To write 902 in Roman Numerals, we group 902 as 900 + 2.
So, 902 is written as CMII 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 discovers a chest containing CMII ancient coins and wants to distribute them equally among XLVI museums. How many coins does each museum receive?
Each museum receives XIX coins.
To find the number of coins each museum receives, divide the total number of coins by the number of museums.
CMII = 902
XLVI = 46
902 / 46 = 19
19 in Roman numerals is XIX.
An architect is designing a building with a height of CDLI feet and plans to add an extension of CL feet. What will be the total height of the building in Roman numerals?
The total height of the building will be DC feet.
To find the total height, add the height of the original building to the extension.
CDLI = 451
CL = 150
451 + 150 = 601
601 in Roman numerals is DC.
A collector has CMII rare stamps and decides to sell CCCLIX of them. How many stamps does the collector have left?
The collector has DXLIII stamps left.
Subtract the number of stamps sold from the total number of stamps to find how many are left.
CMII = 902
CCCLIX = 359
902 - 359 = 543
543 in Roman numerals is DXLIII.
A marathon runner completed a total distance of CMII kilometers in the past month. If they ran the same distance every day, how many kilometers did they run per day given there are XXX days in a month?
The runner ran XXX kilometers per day.
To find the daily distance, divide the total distance by the number of days.
CMII = 902
XXX = 30
902 / 30 = 30
30 in Roman numerals is XXX.
Write the Roman Numeral for 902 - 457 using the expansion method.
The Roman numeral for 902 - 457 is CDXLV.
Step 1: Convert the numbers 902 and 457 into Roman numerals.
902 = CMII
457 = CDLVI
Subtract the numbers:
902 - 457 = 445
Using the expansion method:
445 = 400 + 40 + 5 = CDXLV.
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.