Roman Numbers - Rules, Chart | What Are Roman Numerals?

While you imagine numbers currently, the first of all that comes to mind is the decimal system we utilize daily. This method, however, is not the single approach to portray numbers. There are several systems utilized by different cultures around the world that utilize all kinds of characters. Classified among many one of the system is Roman numerals.

Since ancient Rome, Roman numerals have become a method of writing numericals utilizing a blend of letters from the Latin alphabet. It remained throughout the Middle Ages and the modern day, to the extend it is still educated in school, that is perhaps why you have come across this post.

Now, we are gonna to walkthrough Roman numerals, definition, how they operate, and how to change Roman numbers to regular numbers.

What Are Roman Numbers?

First, let's take a brief look at the past of Roman numbers. Roman numericals were initially used by the ancient Romans, as you might have predicted from the name. They were employed in many aspects of the Roman world, including business, architecture, and even war.

Currently, its extensive use is primarily attributed to aesthetic reasons. You might have seen Roman numbers as hour marks on a clock, copyright dates, page numbering, chapter numbers, or in movie sequels (e.g., The Godfather Part II).

The Roman numeral system represents numericals using a combination of letters from the Latin alphabet. Letters are blended to make groups that represent numericals. Seven letters, I, V, X, L, C, D, and M, symbolizes the numericals 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, and 1000, individually. You can then mix these numericals to portray any value in the number system.

Meaning of the Roman numerals

Although the decimal system is founded on the ideas of place value, Roman numbers are based on cumulative and subtractive principles. This states that a Roman number's numeric values are founded on the sum of the values of its particular parts. Another important difference is that the decimal system is based on the number 10. In comparison, Roman numbers are founded on the numericals 1 (I), 5 (V) and 10 (X).

Examples

Let's look at a few interactive examples of Roman numerals.

The video game street fighter IV was released in arcades back in 2008. If we observe the numericals in the title, we see it includes a V in it. This is because the number 5 in Roman number is described by the letter V. Preceded by it is an I, or 1. Thus, we understand that this is the 4th entry in the series employing the characteristics we will talk about further ahead.

The movie Star Wars Episode VI was the last to enter the original trilogy. Observing the value portrayed, it contains a V followed by an I. Thus, we will sum a 1 to the value of V, that is 5, letting us know this Star Wars movie is the 6th to enter the franchise.

Roman Numerals Chart

To read Roman numerals, it is important to comprehend the numeric value of all the characters. To guide make this operation easy, here is a chart with every Latin alphabets with allocated numeric values.

How to Convert from Roman Numerals to Decimal Numericals

Since we have the useful table of Roman numbers, we can use that information to transform numericals back and forth quickly. Following these steps, you will convert these values whenever you want.

Steps to Convert Roman numerals to Everyday Numbers

To change Roman numerals to decimal numbers, we will utilize the additive and subtractive principles we discussed.

• Start at the leftmost Roman numerical in the group.

• If the Roman number to its right is lesser in value, then add the both values.

• If the Roman number to its right is greater in value, subtract the Roman number on the right out of the Roman numbers to its left.

• All you must do now is replicate this method until you reach the end of the Roman numeral group.

Let's check out how you can transform Roman numerals with a some examples.

Example 1

Study the Roman numeral LXXVI.

• Start at the leftmost Roman number, which is L or 50.

• The Roman number to its right is X or 10. Since 10 is less than 50, we add the both values and get 60.

• The Roman numeral to the right of X is X again. We add 10 to 60 and the result is 70.

• The Roman numeral to the right of X is V or 5. Considering 5 is less than 70, we add the two values and we find 75.

• The Roman numeral to the right of V is I or 1. Considering 1 is less than 75, we add the two values and we find 76.

We stop here at the end of the Roman number group. Therefore, the Roman numeral LXXVI is equivalent to the regular number 76.

Example 2

Study the Roman numeral MCMIII.

• Initiate with the leftmost Roman numeral, which is M or 1000.

• The Roman number to its right is C or 100. Because 100 is less than 1000, and it is ensued by an M, this value stands at 900.

• The Roman number to the right of M is I or 1. Because 1 is less than 1900, we add the two values and the result is 1901.

• The Roman numeral to the right of I is I again. We add 1 to 1901 and get 1902.

• The Roman numeral to the right of I is I again. We add 1 to 1902 and get 1903.

Because we have arrived the end of the Roman numeral group, we halt here with our answer. So, the Roman number MCMIII is equal to the decimal number 1903.

With this knowledge and a little practice, you will convert Roman numerals to regular numbers like a professional!

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