Roman numbers

The numerals we use currently are known as Hindu or Arabic numerals

for example1, 4, 5, 6, 8, 120, and so on.

Romans have their own way of writing their figures hence the name Roman numbers.

Look at this table

Rules in writing Arabic numerals into Roman numerals

When a symbol appears after a larger symbol it is added

  1. Example: VI = V + I = 5 + 1 = 6 .                                      But if the symbol appears before a larger symbol it is subtracted
  2. Example: IX = X - I = 10 - 1 = 9

Don't use the same symbol more than three times in a row.

Remember: After Larger is Added

Really Big Numbers

Numbers greater than 1,000 are formed by placing a dash over the symbol, meaning "times 1,000", but these are not commonly used:

How to Convert to Roman Numerals

Break the number into Thousands, Hundreds, Tens and Units and write down each in turn.

Example: Convert 1984 to Roman Numerals

Break 1984 into 1000, 900, 80 and 4, then do each conversion

  1. 1000 = M
  2. 900 = CM
  3. 80 = LXXX
  4. 4 = IV

So 1984 = MCMLXXXIV

How To Remember

Think "MeDiCaL XaVIer".


It has the roman numerals in order from 1000 to 1.

Example 1

Write 48 in roman numbers.

 

Example 2

Write 23 in Roman numerals.

 

 Example 3

Write XIX in Arabic numerals.

 

Solution 1

40 + 8 = 48

XL + VIII = XLVIII

 

Solution 2

20 + 3 = 23

XX + III = XXIII

 

Solution 3

XIX = 10 + (10 - 1)

= 10 + 9

= 19

Play this video to learn more About Roman Numbers

 



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