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

When you imagine numbers at present, the first of all that comes to mind is the decimal method we use everyday. This method, however, is not the single fashion to portray numbers. There are many systems utilized by different cultures all over the world that utilize all sorts of symbols. One such method is Roman numbers.

Since ancient Rome, Roman numbers have become a way of expressing numbers using a blend of characters from the Latin alphabet. It remained during the Middle Ages and the modern day, to the point it is still learned in school, which is perhaps why you have come across this post.

Now, we are going to check out Roman numerals, what they are, how they work, and how to convert Roman numerals to normal numbers.

What Are Roman Numerals?

Primarily, let's take a quick look at the past of Roman numerals. Roman numbers were first utilized by the historic Romans, as you might have guessed from the name. They were utilized in many aspects of the Roman world, consisting of trade, architecture, and even war.

Nowadays, its widespread use is primarily because of its aesthetic 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 III).

The Roman numeral approach includes numericals utilizing a blend of letters from the Latin alphabet. Characters are mixed to form groups that portray numbers. Seven letters, I, V, X, L, C, D, and M, symbolizes the numbers 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, and 1000, individually. You can then combine these numericals to depict any value in the numerical system.

Meaning of the Roman numerals

Even though the decimal system is based on the ideas of place value, Roman numerals are established on cumulative and subtractive principles. This states that a Roman numeral'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 founded on the number 10. In contrast, Roman numerals are established on the numericals 1 (I), 5 (V) and 10 (X).

Examples

Let's look at a few hands-on examples of Roman numbers.

The video game street fighter IV was released in arcades as early as 2008. If we look at the numericals in the title, we see it consist of a V in it. This is due to the fact numerical 5 in Roman number is portrayed by the letter V. Preceded by it is an I, or 1. Thus, we comprehend that this is the 4th entry in the series using the properties we will talk about further ahead.

The film Star Wars Episode VI was the latest to enter the original trilogy. Observing the value described, it includes a V ensued by an I. Hence, we will include a 1 to the value of V, that is 5, comprehending this Star Wars film is the 6th entry in the franchise.

Roman Numerals Chart

To read Roman numbers, it is essential to understand the numeric value of all the letters. To help make this function easy, here is a chart with every Latin characters with assigned number values.

How to Convert from Roman Numbers to Everyday Numericals

Considering we have the useful table of Roman numbers, we can utilize that data to change numericals back and forth promptly. Following these steps, you will convert these values any time you want.

Steps to Transform Roman numerals to Everyday Numericals

To convert Roman numbers to regular numbers, we will use the linear and subtractive principles we discussed.

• Start at the leftmost Roman numerical in the group.

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

• If the Roman numerical to its right is greater in value, deduct the Roman numeral on the right out of the Roman numbers to its left.

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

Let's take a look how you can change Roman numbers with a some examples.

Example 1

Study the Roman numeral LXXVI.

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

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

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

Example 2

Consider the Roman number MCMIII.

• Begin with the leftmost Roman number, which is M or 1000.

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

• The Roman numeral to the right of M is I or 1. Considering 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 we find 1902.

• The Roman number 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 number group, we halt here with our result. Thus, the Roman number MCMIII is as same as the regular number 1903.

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

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