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. 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 CMXV to represent 915. Here, CM is 900, X is 10, 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, XV → X + V → 10 + 5 = 15
To write a large number, there are certain Roman Numerals that can be repeated up to three times. III → 3.
If a small number precedes a large number in Roman Numerals, we subtract the smaller number from the large 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 VV for 10; instead, we use X, and 8 is written as VIII, not IIIIIIII.
Let’s now learn how to write 915 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 915 in Roman numerals using the expansion method. To write 915 in Roman Numerals, follow the steps:
Step 1: Break the number based on the place value: hundreds, tens, and ones. For 915, we write it as 900 + 10 + 5.
Step 2: Converting the number into Roman Numerals:
Step 3: Combine the Roman Numerals together. Therefore, 915 in Roman Numerals is CM (900) + X (10) + V (5) = CMXV
When writing a large number into Roman Numerals, we group the number. To write 915 in Roman Numeral, we group 915 as 900 + 10 + 5.
So, 915 is written as CMXV in Roman Numerals.
Students often make mistakes when writing numbers in Roman Numerals. To master Roman Numerals, we can learn from a few common mistakes and the ways to avoid them.
A historian found a manuscript with the date DCCCCXXV. How many years ago was this from 2023?
The manuscript is from 1,098 years ago.
First, convert DCCCCXXV to a number:
DCCCCXXV = 925.
Then, subtract 925 from 2023 to find out how many years ago it was:
2023 - 925 = 1,098.
Thus, the manuscript is from 1,098 years ago.
An artifact was marked with the numeral CMXV. What century was it from?
The artifact is from the 10th century.
Convert CMXV to a number:
CMXV = 915.
The 915th year falls within the 10th century (901-1000).
A library has CMXV ancient scripts. If each script is placed in one of VIII sections, how many scripts are in each section?
Each section contains CXIV scripts.
Convert CMXV and VIII to numbers:
CMXV = 915,
VIII = 8.
Divide the total number of scripts by the number of sections:
915 / 8 = 114.
114 in Roman numerals is CXIV, so each section contains CXIV scripts.
A scholar adds the pages of two ancient scrolls marked DLXV and CCCL. What is the total number of pages in Roman numerals?
The total number of pages is CMXV.
Convert DLXV and CCCL to numbers:
DLXV = 565,
CCCL = 350.
Add the numbers:
565 + 350 = 915.
Convert 915 to Roman numerals:
915 = CMXV.
So, the total number of pages is CMXV.
Convert the result of 1000 - 85 into Roman numerals.
The result in Roman numerals is CMXV.
Perform the subtraction:
1000 - 85 = 915.
Convert 915 to Roman numerals:
915 = CMXV.
Thus, the result of 1000 - 85 is CMXV in Roman numerals.
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.