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

When you imagine numbers at present, the first thing that springs to mind is the decimal system we use everyday. This system, however, is not the only fashion to represent numericals. There are multiple methods utilized by various cultures around the world that use all types of characters. Classified among many one of the system is Roman numerals.

Given that ancient Rome, Roman numerals have become a way of writing numericals using a combination of letters from the Latin alphabet. It remained throughout the Middle Ages and the modern day, to the extend it is still taught in school, that is probably why you have stumbled upon this post.

Today, we are going to check out Roman numbers, definition, how they operate, and how to convert Roman numerals to ordinary numbers.

What Are Roman Numerals?

Primarily, let's take a quick look at the past of Roman numbers. Roman numbers were initially used by the historic Romans, as you may have predicted from the name. They were used in several angles of the Roman world, consisting of business, architecture, and even warfare.

Currently, its extensive use is primarily attributed to artistic reasons. You might have observed Roman numbers as hour marks on a clock, chapter numbers, page numbering, copyright dates, or in film sequels (e.g., The Godfather Part III).

The Roman number approach consist of numbers employing a mixture of characters from the Latin alphabet. Characters are combined to form groups that depict numericals. Seven alphabets, I, V, X, L, C, D, and M, symbolizes the numbers 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, and 1000, individually. You can then blend these numericals to portray any value in the number system.

Meaning of the Roman numerals

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

Examples

Let's check out a few hands-on examples of Roman numbers.

The computer game street fighter IV was released in arcades as early as 2008. If we observe the number in the title, we see it includes a V in it. This is because the number 5 in Roman number is represented by the letter V. Preceded by it is an I, or 1. Therefore, we comprehend that this is the 4th to enter in the series utilizing the properties we will speak on further ahead.

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

Roman Numerals Chart

To read Roman numerals, it is crucial to understand the numeric value of all the letters. To guide make this process easy, here is a chart with all Latin letters with defined number values.

How to Convert from Roman Numerals to Everyday Numericals

Since we have the handy table of Roman numbers, we can utilize that information to change numbers back and forth simply. Following these steps, you will transform these values whenever you want.

Steps to Convert Roman numerals to Regular Numericals

To change Roman numbers to regular numbers, we will utilize the cumulative and subtractive principles we talked about.

• Start at the leftmost Roman numeral in the group.

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

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

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

Let's check out how you can transform Roman numbers with a some examples.

Example 1

Consider the Roman numeral LXXVI.

• Begin with the leftmost Roman numeral, that is L or 50.

• The Roman numeral to its right is X or 10. Since 10 is less than 50, we sum the both values and get 60.

• The Roman number to the right of X is X again. We sum 10 to 60 and the result is 70.

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

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

We stop here at the end of the Roman number group. Hence, the Roman numeral LXXVI is equal to the decimal number 76.

Example 2

Take into account the Roman numeral MCMIII.

• Start at the leftmost Roman numeral, that is M or 1000.

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

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

• The Roman number 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.

Given that we have arrived the end of the Roman numeral group, we stop here with our result. So, the Roman number MCMIII is equivalent to the decimal number 1903.

With this data and a some practice, you will convert Roman numerals to regular numbers like a pro!

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