Last updated on May 26th, 2025
To meet their daily commerce and administration needs, the ancient Romans developed Roman Numerals. This system 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 CDVII.
Ancient Romans discovered that counting fingers could get very complicated after 10. To overcome this complexity, the Roman numeric system was developed. This system 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.
CDVII in Roman numerals can be written in number form by adding and subtracting the values of each Roman numeral, i.e. CDVII = 407. Let us learn more about the Roman numeral CDVII, 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 VI, we have 5 + 1 = 6.
A symbol that is repeated three times in continuation increases the value of the numeral. For example, CCC = 300.
We use the subtraction method when a larger symbol follows a smaller symbol. For example, CD = 400 (which is 500 – 100).
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 CDVII 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 involves breaking down 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 CDVII,
Step 1: First, we break the Roman numerals. CDVII = C + D + V + I + I
Step 2: Write the Roman Numerals for each part
The Roman Numeral C is 100
The Roman Numeral D is 500
The Roman Numeral V is 5
The Roman Numeral I is 1
Step 3: Combine all the numbers (D - C) + V + I + I = 500 - 100 + 5 + 1 + 1 = 407.
Therefore, the Roman Numeral CDVII is 407.
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 CDVII.
Step 1: The larger Roman numerals are what we will begin with. Once split, the Roman numerals we get are CD and VII. The numeral for CD, using subtraction, is 400.
Step 2: Now we need to either add or subtract the smaller number, depending on its place. Here we add VII to CD, and we will get CDVII. The Roman numeral VII is 7.
Therefore, the numeral of CDVII is 407.
Students can make mistakes when studying Roman numerals. Here are a few common mistakes students make, and ways to avoid them.
Combine the Roman numerals CDVII and CC in a single expression and write the total in Roman numerals.
The total is DCVII
Convert both Roman numerals into their decimal form:
CDVII = 407
CC = 200
Now add both numbers: 407 + 200 = 607
Convert the result back into Roman numerals: 607 = 600 (DC) + 7 (VII) = DCVII
Subtract CCC from CDVII and write the result in Roman numerals.
The result is CVII
Convert the Roman numerals into their decimal form:
CDVII = 407
CCC = 300
Now subtract the numbers: 407 - 300 = 107
Convert the result back into Roman numerals: 107 = 100 (C) + 7 (VII) = CVII
Divide CDVII by 11 and express the quotient in Roman numerals.
The quotient is XXXVII
Convert CDVII into its decimal form:
CDVII = 407
Divide by 11: 407/11 = 37
Convert 37 into Roman numerals: 37 = 30 (XXX) + 7 (VII) = XXXVII
What is the product when CDVII is multiplied by II?
The product is DCCCXIV
Convert CDVII and II into numbers:
CDVII = 407
II = 2
Multiply the numbers: 407 × 2 = 814
Convert 814 into Roman numerals: 800 (DCCC) + 10 (X) + 4 (IV) = DCCCXIV
Convert CDVII into its decimal form.
In decimal form, CDVII is 407
Break CDVII into components:
CD = 400 (500 - 100)
VII = 7 (V + I + I)
Add values: 400 + 7 = 407
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.