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 CMXXIII.
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. CMXXIII in Roman numerals can be written in number form by adding and subtracting the values of each Roman numeral, i.e., CMXXIII = 923.
Let us learn more about the Roman numeral CMXXIII, how we write it, 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 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.
We use the subtraction method when a smaller symbol precedes a larger 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 CMXXIII 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 or subtracting 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 or subtract the numerals accordingly.
For CMXXIII,
Step 1: First we break the Roman numerals. CMXXIII = C + M + X + X + I + I + I
Step 2: Write the Roman Numerals for each part
The Roman Numeral C is 100
The Roman Numeral M is 1000
The Roman Numeral X is 10
The Roman Numeral I is 1
Step 3: Combine all the numbers with subtraction where necessary CM = 1000 - 100 = 900 XX = 20 III = 3 Total = 900 + 20 + 3 = 923. Therefore, the Roman Numeral CMXXIII is 923.
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 CMXXIII.
Step 1: The larger Roman numerals are what we will begin with. Once split, the Roman numerals we get are CM, XX, and III. The numeral for CM is 900
Step 2: Now we need to either add or subtract the smaller numbers, depending on their place.
Here we add XX and III to CM, and we will get CMXXIII. The numeral for XX is 20 The numeral for III is 3 Therefore, the numeral of CMXXIII is 923.
Students can make mistakes when studying Roman numerals. Here are a few common mistakes students make, and ways to avoid them.
Calculate the sum of CMXXIII and LXXVII. Provide the answer in Roman numerals.
The sum is M.
Convert both Roman numerals into their decimal form:
CMXXIII = 923
LXXVII = 77
Now add both numbers: 923 + 77 = 1000
Convert the number into its Roman numeral: 1000 = M
Determine the difference of M - CMXXIII. Provide the answer in Roman numerals.
The difference is LXXVII.
Convert the Roman numerals into their decimal form:
M = 1000
CMXXIII = 923
Now subtract the numbers: 1000 - 923 = 77
Convert the number into its Roman numeral: 77 = 70 (LXX) + 7 (VII) = LXXVII
Divide CMXXIII by 4 and write the answer in Roman numerals.
CCXXX.
Convert CMXXIII into its decimal form:
CMXXIII = 923
Divide by 4: 923 / 4 = 230.75
Since Roman numerals only represent whole numbers, we use the whole number part: 230 = 200 (CC) + 30 (XXX) = CCXXX
Find the product of CMXXIII and III.
The product is MMDCLXIX.
Write CMXXIII and III in numbers:
CMXXIII = 923
III = 3
Multiply the numbers: 923 × 3 = 2769
Convert 2769 into its Roman numerals: 2000 (MM) + 700 (DCC) + 60 (LX) + 9 (IX) = MMDCLXIX
Convert CMXXIII into its decimal form.
In decimal form, CMXXIII is 923.
Break CMXXIII into components:
CM = 900 (1000 - 100)
XX = 20 (10 + 10)
III = 3 (I + I + I)
Add values: 900 + 20 + 3 = 923
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.