Last updated on May 26th, 2025
Roman numerals are a way of expressing numbers using specific symbols: I, V, X, L, C, D, and M. Roman Numerals are often used in royal titles, book chapters, sequences, and more. Here, we will discuss Roman Numerals, their rules, and examples.
Royal titles, such as Henry I, Henry II, and so on, use Roman Numerals. Have you ever wondered what these symbols (I, II) represent? They are Roman Numerals. In ancient times, people counted using fingers, sticks, or bones. As life became more complex, a standard system was required for counting. The Ancient Romans developed the Roman Numeral system. The symbols I (1), V (5), X (10), L (50), C (100), D (500), and M (1000) are used for counting.
In Roman Numerals, we represent 921 as CMXXI. Here, CM is 900, XX is 20, and I is 1. Let’s learn more about Roman numerals and how we write them.
Certain basic rules are followed when writing numbers in Roman Numerals. Let's discuss some basic rules to remember:
The addition method is used when a smaller numeral follows a larger numeral. For example, XXI → X + X + I → 10 + 10 + 1 = 21.
Some Roman Numerals can be repeated up to three times to represent a number, e.g., XXX → 30.
When a smaller numeral precedes a larger numeral, the subtraction method is used. For example, IX → X - I → 10 - 1 = 9.
Symbols cannot be repeated more than three times, and some symbols like V, L, and D cannot be repeated. For example, we write 10 as X, not VV, and 8 as VIII, not IIIIIIII.
Let’s learn how to write 921 in Roman Numerals using different methods:
In the expansion method, a number is broken down based on place value. Here’s how to write 921 in Roman numerals using this method:
Step 1: Break down the number based on place value (ones, tens, hundreds, etc.). For 921, it’s 900 + 20 + 1.
Step 2: Convert each number into Roman Numerals:
Step 3: Combine the Roman Numerals. Therefore, 921 is CM (900) + XX (20) + I (1) = CMXXI.
When writing a large number in Roman Numerals, we group the number: 921 is grouped as 900 + 20 + 1.
Therefore, 921 is written as CMXXI in Roman Numerals.
Students often make mistakes when writing numbers in Roman Numerals. To master Roman Numerals, learn common mistakes and ways to avoid them.
If a historian finds a scroll that mentions a year written as CMXXI, what year is it in modern-day numbers?
The year mentioned on the scroll is 921.
The Roman numeral CMXXI translates to 921 in modern-day numbers.
C = 100, M = 1000, X = 10, I = 1.
CM = 900 (1000 - 100), XX = 20, I = 1.
Therefore, 900 + 20 + 1 = 921.
A treasure chest contains CMXXI gold coins that need to be equally distributed among XXIII pirates. How many coins does each pirate get?
Each pirate gets XL coins.
To find the number of coins each pirate gets, divide the total number of coins by the number of pirates.
CMXXI = 921
XXIII = 23
Therefore, 921 / 23 = 40.
40 in Roman Numerals can be written as XL.
A scribe is tasked to write a contract that states the sum of CDXLV and CDLXXVI in Roman numerals. What is the sum?
The sum of CDXLV and CDLXXVI is CMXXI.
Sum is the result of adding two numbers.
CDXLV = 445
CDLXXVI = 476
445 + 476 = 921
921 in Roman Numerals is CMXXI.
An ancient clock chimes every hour, and it chimed CMXXI times today. How many complete days have passed if the clock chimes once every hour?
The number of complete days that have passed is XXXVIII.
The number of complete days can be found by dividing the total chimes by the number of hours in a day.
CMXXI = 921
There are 24 hours in a day.
921 / 24 = 38.
38 in Roman Numerals is XXXVIII.
Using the expansion method, write the Roman Numeral for 500 + 400 + 20 + 1.
The Roman Numeral for 500 + 400 + 20 + 1 is CMXXI.
Step 1: Break down the number 921 into parts: 500 + 400 + 20 + 1. 500 = D, 400 = CD, 20 = XX, 1 = I
Write the Roman Numerals together: D + CD + XX + I = CMXXI.
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.