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

When you imagine numbers currently, the first of all that comes to mind is the decimal system we use daily. This system, however, is not the single fashion to portray numbers. There are many methods used by different cultures worldwide that use all sorts of characters. One such system is Roman numerals.

Since ancient Rome, Roman numerals have become a method of expressing numericals using a blend of characters from the Latin alphabet. It existed throughout the Middle Ages and the modern day, to the point it is still educated in school, which is probably why you have come across this article.

Today, we are going to check out Roman numerals, definition, how they function, and how to transform Roman numbers to regular numbers.

What Are Roman Numbers?

Primarily, let's look at a brief look at the history of Roman numbers. Roman numbers were initially used by the ancient Romans, as you may have expected from the name. They were employed in many aspects of the Roman world, consisting of trade, architecture, and even warfare.

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

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

Meaning of the Roman numerals

Although the decimal system is founded on the concept of place value, Roman numerals are established on cumulative and subtractive principles. This refers that a Roman numeral's numeric values are founded on the sum of the values of its individual parts. Another key difference is that the decimal method is based on the number 10. In contrast, Roman numerals are established on the numericals 1 (I), 5 (V) and 10 (X).

Examples

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

The video game street fighter IV was released in arcades way back in 2008. If we take a look at the number in the title, we see it includes a V in it. This is due to the fact number 5 in Roman numerals is portrayed by the letter V. Preceded by it is an I, or 1. Thus, we grasp that this is the 4th entry in the series utilizing the characteristics we will discuss down the article.

The film Star Wars Episode VI was the last entry in the original trilogy. Observing the value described, it contains a V ensued by an I. Thus, we will add a 1 to the value of V, which is 5, concluding this Star Wars film is the 6th episode in the franchise.

Roman Numerals Chart

To read Roman numerals, it is crucial to know the numeric value of all the letters. To help make this process easy, here is a chart with all Latin alphabets with assigned numeric values.

How to Change from Roman Numerals to Decimal Numericals

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

Steps to Convert Roman numerals to Everyday Numbers

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

• Start at the leftmost Roman numeral in the group.

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

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

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

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

Example 1

Consider the Roman numeral LXXVI.

• Begin with the leftmost Roman number, which is L or 50.

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

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

• The Roman number to the right of X is V or 5. Because 5 is less than 70, we add the two values and the result is 75.

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

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

Example 2

Study the Roman number MCMIII.

• Begin with the leftmost Roman number, 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 means 900.

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

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

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

Since we have reached the end of the Roman number group, we halt here with our result. So, the Roman number MCMIII is equivalent to the decimal number 1903.

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

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