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

While you think about numericals currently, the first thing that springs to mind is the decimal system we utilize everyday. This system, however, is not the only approach to portray numbers. There are a lot of systems used by distinct cultures worldwide that use all sorts of characters. One of system is Roman numbers.

Since ancient Rome, Roman numbers have been a method of expressing numericals utilizing a combination of letters from the Latin alphabet. It remained throughout the Middle Ages and the modern day, to the point it is still taught in school, that is perhaps why you have stumbled upon this article.

Today, we are gonna to walkthrough Roman numerals, definition, how they function, and how to change Roman numbers to ordinary numbers.

What Are Roman Numerals?

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

Presently, its main use is primarily attributed to aesthetic reasons. You may have observed Roman numbers 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 system includes numbers utilizing a blend of letters from the Latin alphabet. Characters are mixed to create groups that represent numbers. Seven letters, I, V, X, L, C, D, and M, symbolizes the numbers 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, and 1000, respectively. You can then mix these numbers to depict any value in the numerical system.

Meaning of the Roman numerals

While the decimal system is based on the concept of place value, Roman numbers are founded on cumulative and subtractive principles. This refers that a Roman numeral's numeric values are established on the sum of the values of its individual parts. Another key distinction is that the decimal system 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 practical examples of Roman numbers.

The electronic game street fighter IV was released in arcades back in 2008. If we take a look at the numericals in the title, we see it has a V in it. This is because the number 5 in Roman numerals is described by the alphabet V. Preceded by it is an I, or 1. Therefore, we understand that this is the 4th to enter in the series employing the properties we will talk about subsequently in the article.

The movie Star Wars Episode VI was the last entry in the original trilogy. Observing the value portrayed, it contains a V followed by an I. Hence, we will sum a 1 to the value of V, that is 5, concluding this Star Wars film is the 6th to enter the series.

Roman Numerals Chart

To read Roman numerals, it is crucial to know 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 Transform from Roman Numbers to Everyday Numbers

Since we have the convenient table of Roman numbers, we can use that information to transform numericals back and forth promptly. Following these steps, you will change these values whenever you want.

Steps to Change Roman numerals to Decimal Numericals

To transform Roman numerals to regular numericals, 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 sum the two values.

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

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

Let's take a look how you can convert Roman numbers with a few examples.

Example 1

Take a look at the Roman numeral LXXVI.

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

• The Roman number to its right is X or 10. Since 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 find 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 the result is 76.

We cease here at the end of the Roman number group. Therefore, the Roman number LXXVI is as same as the decimal number 76.

Example 2

Study 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. Because 100 is less than 1000, and it is ensued by an M, this value refers to 900.

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

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

• The Roman number to the right of I is I again. We sum 1 to 1902 and we find 1903.

Because we have arrived the end of the Roman numeral group, we stop here with our answer. Therefore, the Roman numeral MCMIII is equal to the regular number 1903.

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

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