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

While you imagine numericals currently, the first thing that comes to mind is the decimal method we utilize regularly. This method, however, is not the single way to represent numbers. There are several methods utilized by various cultures worldwide that utilize all sorts of characters. One of system is Roman numerals.

Since ancient Rome, Roman numerals have become 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 point it is still educated in school, that is possibly why you have stumbled upon this post.

Today, we are gonna to look at Roman numerals, what they are, how they work, and how to convert Roman numbers to regular numbers.

What Are Roman Numbers?

First, let's look at a quick look at the history of Roman numerals. Roman numericals were initially used by the ancient Romans, as you might have expected from the name. They were utilized in several angles of the Roman world, including trade, architecture, and even war.

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

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

Meaning of the Roman numerals

While the decimal system is established on the concept of place value, Roman numerals are founded on additive and subtractive principles. This refers that a Roman number's numeric values are based 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 look at a few interactive examples of Roman numbers.

The video game street fighter IV was released in arcades way back in 2008. If we look at the numericals in the name, we see it consist of a V in it. This is due to the fact number 5 in Roman numerals is represented by the letter V. Preceded by it is an I, or 1. Thus, we grasp that this is the 4th entry in the series using the properties we will speak on further ahead.

The film Star Wars Episode VI was the latest to enter the original trilogy. Looking at the value described, it includes a V followed by an I. Therefore, we will add a 1 to the value of V, that is 5, comprehending this Star Wars movie is the 6th episode in the series.

Roman Numerals Chart

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

How to Convert from Roman Numbers to Regular Numericals

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

Steps to Transform Roman numbers to Decimal Numbers

To transform Roman numbers to everyday numbers, we will use the additive and subtractive principles we discussed.

• Begin with the leftmost Roman numeral in the group.

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

• If the Roman number to its right is more in value, subtract 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 reach the end of the Roman number group.

Let's check out how you can change Roman numerals with a some examples.

Example 1

Consider the Roman numeral LXXVI.

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

• The Roman numeral to its right is X or 10. Considering 10 is lesser 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 get 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 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 get 76.

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

Example 2

Consider the Roman numeral MCMIII.

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

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

• The Roman number 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 sum 1 to 1902 and the answer is 1903.

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

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

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