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 MDCCCLVI.
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.
MDCCCLVI in Roman numerals can be written in number form by adding the values of each Roman numeral, i.e. MDCCCLVI = 1856. Let us learn more about the Roman numeral MDCCCLVI, 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 MDCCCLVI 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 MDCCCLVI,
Step 1: First, we break the Roman numerals. MDCCCLVI = M + D + C + C + C + L + V + I
Step 2: Write the Roman numerals for each part:
The Roman numeral M is 1000.
The Roman numeral D is 500.
The Roman numeral C is 100.
The Roman numeral L is 50.
The Roman numeral V is 5.
The Roman numeral I is 1.
Step 3: Combine all the numbers: M + D + C + C + C + L + V + I = 1000 + 500 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 50 + 5 + 1 = 1856.
Therefore, the Roman numeral MDCCCLVI is 1856.
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 MDCCCLVI.
Step 1: The larger Roman numerals are what we will begin with. Once split, the Roman numerals we get are M, DCC, C, L, VI.
The numeral for M is 1000. The numeral for DCC is 700. The numeral for C is 100. The numeral for L is 50.
Step 2: Now we need to either add or subtract the smaller number, depending on its place. Here we add VI to MDCCCL, and we will get MDCCCLVI. The Roman numeral VI is 6.
Therefore, the numeral of MDCCCLVI is 1856.
Students can make mistakes when studying Roman numerals. Here are a few common mistakes students make, and ways to avoid them.
What is MDCCCLVI divided by II? Write the answer in Roman numerals.
The result is CMXXVIII
Convert MDCCCLVI into its decimal form:
MDCCCLVI = 1856
Divide by 2: 1856 / 2 = 928
Convert 928 into Roman numerals: 900 (CM) + 20 (XX) + 8 (VIII) = CMXXVIII
Calculate the sum of MDCCCLVI and DCCCLIV. Write the answer in Roman numerals.
The sum is MMDCX
Convert both Roman numerals into decimal form:
MDCCCLVI = 1856
DCCCLIV = 854
Add both numbers: 1856 + 854 = 2710
Convert 2710 into Roman numerals: 2000 (MM) + 700 (DCC) + 10 (X) = MMDCX
Subtract DCXXXIV from MDCCCLVI. Write the result in Roman numerals.
The result is MCCCLXXII
Convert the Roman numerals into decimal form:
MDCCCLVI = 1856
DCXXXIV = 634
Subtract the numbers: 1856 - 634 = 1222
Convert 1222 into Roman numerals: 1000 (M) + 200 (CC) + 20 (XX) + 2 (II) = MCCCLXXII
Multiply MDCCCLVI by III. Write the answer in Roman numerals.
The product is DLXVIII
Convert MDCCCLVI into its decimal form:
MDCCCLVI = 1856
Multiply by 3: 1856 × 3 = 5568
Convert 5568 into Roman numerals: 5000 (MMMMM) + 500 (D) + 50 (L) + 10 (X) + 8 (VIII) = DLXVIII
Convert MDCCCLVI into its decimal form.
In decimal form, MDCCCLVI is 1856
Break MDCCCLVI into components:
M = 1000
D = 500
CCC = 300 (C + C + C)
L = 50
VI = 6 (V + I)
Add values: 1000 + 500 + 300 + 50 + 6 = 1856
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.