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

When you imagine numbers at present, the first of all that springs to mind is the decimal method we use daily. This method, however, is not the only approach to depict numericals. There are a lot of methods utilized by various cultures all over the world that use all kinds of symbols. One of system is Roman numbers.

Since ancient Rome, Roman numbers have been a way of expressing numbers using a blend of characters from the Latin alphabet. It remained throughout the Middle Ages and the modern day, to the extend it is still learned in school, which is possibly why you have stumbled upon this article.

Now, we are going to look at Roman numerals, definition, how they function, and how to convert Roman numbers to ordinary numbers.

What Are Roman Numbers?

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

Nowadays, its widespread use is mainly because of its aesthetic reasons. You might have observed Roman numerals as hour marks on a clock, copyright dates, page numbering, chapter numbers, or in film sequels (e.g., The Godfather Part III).

The Roman numeral approach includes numbers employing a mixture of letters from the Latin alphabet. Letters are combined to make groups that represent numbers. Seven letters, I, V, X, L, C, D, and M, depicts the numericals 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, and 1000, separately. You can then blend these numbers to portray any value in the numerical system.

Meaning of the Roman numerals

While the decimal system is founded on the ideas of place value, Roman numerals are established on additive and subtractive principles. This means that a Roman number's numeric values are founded on the sum of the values of its individual parts. Another major distinction is that the decimal system is established on the number 10. In comparison, Roman numerals are founded on the numbers 1 (I), 5 (V) and 10 (X).

Examples

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

The electronic game street fighter IV was released in arcades way back in 2008. If we observe the number in the title, we see it consist of a V in it. This is due to the fact number 5 in Roman number is represented by the alphabet V. Preceded by it is an I, or 1. Thus, we grasp that this is the 4th entry in the series employing the characteristics we will talk about down the article.

The film Star Wars Episode VI was the latest to enter the original trilogy. Observing the value described, it contains a V followed by an I. Therefore, we will include a 1 to the value of V, that is 5, concluding this Star Wars movie is the 6th episode in the franchise.

Roman Numerals Chart

To read Roman numbers, it is essential to understand the numeric value of all the characters. To assist you make this process easy, here is a chart with every Latin letters with allocated numeric values.

How to Convert from Roman Numbers to Regular Numericals

Since we have the handy table of Roman numbers, we can utilize that data to transform numericals back and forth simply. Following these steps, you will change these values at any time.

Steps to Convert Roman numerals to Decimal Numericals

To transform Roman numbers to everyday numbers, we will use the cumulative and subtractive principles we went through.

• Start at the leftmost Roman numerical in the group.

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

• If the Roman number to its right is higher in value, deduct the Roman number on the right out of the Roman numeral to its left.

• All you must do now is repeat this method unless you arrive at the end of the Roman number group.

Let's check out how you can convert Roman numerals with a few examples.

Example 1

Study the Roman numeral LXXVI.

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

• The Roman numeral to its right is X or 10. Considering 10 is lesser than 50, we sum 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 sum the both values and we find 75.

• The Roman number to the right of V is I or 1. Because 1 is less than 75, we sum the two values and we find 76.

We cease 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 number MCMIII.

• Begin with the leftmost Roman numeral, 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 stands at 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 get 1902.

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

Given that we have reached the end of the Roman numeral group, we stop here with our result. Therefore, the Roman number MCMIII is equal to the regular number 1903.

With this knowledge and a little practice, you will convert Roman numbers to decimal numbers like a pro!

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