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

While you consider numericals nowadays, the first thing that springs to mind is the decimal method we use daily. This method, however, is not the only approach to depict numericals. There are multiple methods used by various cultures around the world that use all kinds of characters. Classified among many one of the system is Roman numerals.

Given that ancient Rome, Roman numbers have been a method of expressing numericals using a mixture of letters from the Latin alphabet. It persisted across the Middle Ages and the modern day, to the point it is still educated in school, that is probably why you have stumbled upon this article.

Now, we are going to walkthrough Roman numerals, what they are, how they work, and how to change Roman numerals to normal numbers.

What Are Roman Numbers?

First, let's check a quick look at the past of Roman numbers. Roman numericals were initially utilized by the ancient Romans, as you may have predicted from the name. They were used in several angles of the Roman world, consisting of trade, architecture, and even war.

Nowadays, its main use is mainly because of its artistic reasons. You might have seen Roman numerals as hour marks on a clock, chapter numbers, page numbering, copyright dates, or in movie sequels (e.g., The Godfather Part II).

The Roman number approach represents numericals using a combination of letters from the Latin alphabet. Letters are combined to create groups that represent numericals. Seven letters, I, V, X, L, C, D, and M, represent the numericals 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, and 1000, separately. You can then blend these numbers to depict any value in the number system.

Meaning of the Roman numerals

Even though the decimal system is established on the ideas of place value, Roman numerals are based on additive and subtractive principles. This states that a Roman number's numeric values are founded on the sum of the values of its particular parts. One more key difference is that the decimal method is based on the number 10. In contrast, Roman numerals are established on the numbers 1 (I), 5 (V) and 10 (X).

Examples

Let's check out a few practical examples of Roman numbers.

The computer game street fighter IV was released in arcades way back in 2008. If we look at the numericals in the name, we see it has a V in it. This is due to the fact number 5 in Roman number is described by the letter V. Preceded by it is an I, or 1. Hence, we comprehend that this is the 4th to enter in the series utilizing the characteristics we will speak on down the article.

The movie Star Wars Episode VI was the latest entry in the original trilogy. Observing the value represented, it contains a V ensued by an I. Thus, we will sum a 1 to the value of V, that is 5, concluding this Star Wars film is the 6th to enter the franchise.

Roman Numerals Chart

To read Roman numbers, it is essential to get a grasp of the numeric value of all the letters. To help make this operation easy, here is a chart with all Latin characters with allocated numeric values.

How to Convert from Roman Numbers to Everyday Numbers

Considering we have the useful table of Roman numerals, we can utilize that information to transform numbers back and forth quickly. Following these steps, you will transform these values any time you want.

Steps to Transform Roman numerals to Everyday Numericals

To convert Roman numerals to everyday numericals, we will utilize the cumulative and subtractive principles we went through.

• Begin with the leftmost Roman numeral in the group.

• If the Roman numeral to its right is smaller in value, then sum the two values.

• If the Roman numerical to its right is greater in value, deduct the Roman number on the right from the Roman numeral to its left.

• All you must do now is replicate this process unless you reach the end of the Roman number group.

Let's take a look how you can transform Roman numerals with a few examples.

Example 1

Study the Roman numeral LXXVI.

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

• The Roman number to its right is X or 10. Since 10 is less than 50, we sum the two 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 both values and get 75.

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

We stop here at the end of the Roman number group. Consequently, the Roman numeral LXXVI is as same as the decimal number 76.

Example 2

Take into account the Roman numeral MCMIII.

• Begin with the leftmost Roman numeral, that is M or 1000.

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

• The Roman numeral to the right of M is I or 1. Since 1 is less than 1900, we add the both values and we find 1901.

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

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

Because we have reached the end of the Roman number group, we halt here with our result. So, the Roman numeral MCMIII is as same as the decimal number 1903.

With this information and a some practice, you will change Roman numerals to decimal numbers like an expert!

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