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 DCXLVIII.
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. DCXLVIII in Roman numerals can be written in number form by adding the values of each Roman numeral, i.e., DCXLVIII = 648.
Let us learn more about the Roman numeral DCXLVIII, 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 DCXLVIII 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 DCXLVIII,
Step 1: First, we break the Roman numerals. DCXLVIII = D + C + XL + V + I + I + I
Step 2: Write the Roman Numerals for each part The Roman Numeral D is 500 The Roman Numeral C is 100 The Roman Numeral XL is 40 The Roman Numeral V is 5 The Roman Numeral I is 1
Step 3: Combine all the numbers D + C + XL + V + I + I + I = 500 + 100 + 40 + 5 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 648. Therefore, the Roman Numeral DCXLVIII is 648.
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 DCXLVIII.
Step 1: The larger Roman numerals are what we will begin with. Once split, the Roman numerals we get are DC, XL, and VIII. The numeral for DC is 600.
Step 2: Now we need to either add or subtract the smaller number, depending on its place.
Here we add XL for 40 and VIII for 8 to DC, and we will get DCXLVIII. Therefore, the numeral of DCXLVIII is 648.
Students can make mistakes when studying Roman numerals. Here are a few common mistakes students make and ways to avoid them.
Find the total number of days from DCXLVIII days and CCC days. Write the answer in Roman numerals.
The total is CMLVIII
Convert both Roman numerals into their decimal form:
DCXLVIII = 648
CCC = 300
Now add both numbers: 648 + 300 = 948
Convert the number into its Roman numeral: 948 = 900 (CM) + 40 (XL) + 8 (VIII) = CMLVIII
What is the result when you subtract CL from DCXLVIII? Write in Roman numerals.
The result is DCCCXCIII
Convert the Roman numerals into their decimal form:
DCXLVIII = 648
CL = 150
Now subtract the numbers, 648 - 150 = 498
Convert the number into its Roman numeral, 498 = 400 (CD) + 90 (XC) + 8 (VIII) = DCCCXCIII
If you divide DCXLVIII by IV, what is the result in Roman numerals?
CLXII
Convert DCXLVIII into its decimal form:
DCXLVIII = 648
Divide by 4: 648 / 4 = 162
Write 162 in Roman numerals: 162 = 100 (C) + 50 (L) + 10 (X) + 2 (II) = CLXII
Multiply XL by DCXLVIII and express the product in Roman numerals.
XXVI is the product of XL and DCXLVIII.
Convert XL and DCXLVIII to numbers:
XL = 40
DCXLVIII = 648
Multiply the numbers: 40 × 648 = 25,920
Convert 25,920 into its Roman numerals (note: this is typically represented using a vinculum or overline for numbers over 3,999 in Roman numerals, as traditional Roman numerals do not easily accommodate such large numbers without modern adaptations).
Convert DCXLVIII into its decimal form.
In decimal form, DCXLVIII is 648
Break DCXLVIII into components:
D = 500
C = 100
XL = 40 VIII = 8
Add values: 500 + 100 + 40 + 8 = 648
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.