Last updated on May 26th, 2025
To meet their daily commerce and administration needs, the ancient Romans developed Roman Numerals. It used a combination of seven symbols — I, V, X, L, C, D, and M to represent numbers. Roman numerals were used to record transactions, keep track of data, and label military units. In this topic, we are going to learn about the Roman numeral CCLII.
Ancient Romans discovered that counting fingers could get very complicated after 10. So to overcome the complexity, the Roman numeric system was developed. This was widely used throughout Europe as a standard writing system until the late Middle Ages. Seven symbols are used to represent numbers in the Roman numeric system — I, V, X, L, C, D, and M. The numerals are made up of different combinations of these symbols. CCLII in Roman numerals can be written in number form by adding the values of each Roman numeral, i.e., CCLII = 252.
Let us learn more about the Roman numeral CCLII, how we write them, the mistakes we usually make, and ways to avoid these mistakes.
When writing Roman numerals, there are a few rules that we need to follow based on the Roman numerals we are trying to write. In this section, we will learn about the rules when writing Roman numerals and how to represent them.
When a larger symbol is followed by a smaller symbol, we add the numerals to each other. For example, in VIII, we have 5 + 3 = 8.
A symbol that is repeated three times in continuation increases the value of the numeral. For example, XXX = 30.
We use the subtraction method when a larger symbol follows a smaller symbol. For example, XL = 40 (which is 50 – 10).
Symbols cannot be repeated more than three times, and some symbols, such as V, L, and D, cannot be repeated more than once. For example, 10 is represented as X and not VV.
Let us learn about how to write CCLII in Roman numerals. There are two methods that we can use to write Roman numerals:
The breaking down of Roman numerals into parts and then converting them into numerals is what we call the expansion method. The expansion method is the breaking down of Roman numerals into numerical form and adding them to get the final number.
Step 1: Break the Roman numerals into parts.
Step 2: Now write each of the Roman numerals with its numerical digit in the place value.
Step 3: Add the numerals together.
For CCLII,
Step 1: First, we break the Roman numerals. CCLII = C + C + L + I + I
Step 2: Write the Roman Numerals for each part. The Roman Numeral C is 100. The Roman Numeral L is 50. The Roman Numeral I is 1.
Step 3: Combine all the numbers. C + C + L + I + I = 100 + 100 + 50 + 1 + 1 = 252. Therefore, the Roman Numeral CCLII is 252.
Using subtraction and addition rules, we will apply the grouping method. This means we break the Roman numerals into smaller groups, which makes it easier to work with. This method groups the Roman numerals logically, and then we write the numbers for each group.
Step 1: Take the largest number and write the number for that Roman numeral.
Step 2: Write the Roman numeral using the subtraction and addition rules.
Example: Let’s take the Roman numeral CCLII.
Step 1: The larger Roman numerals are what we will begin with. Once split, the Roman numerals we get are CC, L, and II. The numeral for CC is 200.
Step 2: Now we need to either add or subtract the smaller number, depending on its place.
Here we add L and II to CC, and we will get CCLII. The Roman numeral L is 50. The Roman numeral II is 2. Therefore, the numeral of CCLII is 252.
Students can make mistakes when studying Roman numerals. Here are a few common mistakes students make, and ways to avoid them.
A treasure map shows the location of two chests marked with CCL and LII. Find the total number of coins if both chests contain coins equal to their Roman numeral values. Write the total in Roman numerals.
The total is CCCIV
Convert both Roman numerals into their decimal form:
CCL = 250
LII = 52
Now add both numbers: 250 + 52 = 302
Now convert the number into its Roman numeral: 302 = 300 + 2 = CCCIV
In a historical reenactment, there are CCLII participants. If 100 participants leave, how many remain? Write the remaining number in Roman numerals.
The number of remaining participants is CLII
Convert CCLII into its decimal form:
CCLII = 252
Subtract the number of participants that left: 252 - 100 = 152
Convert the remaining number into its Roman numeral: 152 = 100 + 50 + 2 = CLII
A Roman general has a legion of CCLII soldiers. If they are divided into 4 equal groups, how many soldiers are in each group? Write the number in Roman numerals.
LXIII
Convert CCLII into its decimal form:
CCLII = 252
Divide by 4: 252 ÷ 4 = 63
Write 63 in Roman numerals: 63 = 50 + 10 + 3 = LXIII
A historian is examining ancient Roman documents. If one document is labeled CCLII and another is labeled XIII, find the difference in their numeric values. Write the difference in Roman numerals.
The difference is CCXXXIX
Convert the Roman numerals into their decimal form:
CCLII = 252
XIII = 13
Now subtract the numbers: 252 - 13 = 239
Convert the difference into Roman numerals: 239 = 200 + 30 + 9 = CCXXXIX
Convert CCLII into its decimal form.
In decimal form, CCLII is 252
Break CCLII into components:
CC = 200 (C + C)
L = 50 II = 2 (I + I)
Add the values: 200 + 50 + 2 = 252
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.