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

When you think about numericals nowadays, the first thing that springs to mind is the decimal system we use daily. This method, however, is not the single approach to represent numericals. There are a lot of systems used by different cultures around the world that utilize all types of characters. Classified among many one of the method is Roman numbers.

Since ancient Rome, Roman numerals have been a method of writing numbers using a mixture of characters from the Latin alphabet. It persisted during the Middle Ages and the modern day, to the extend it is still educated in school, that is perhaps why you have stumbled upon this blog.

Today, we are going to look at Roman numbers, what they are, how they operate, and how to change Roman numerals to ordinary numbers.

What Are Roman Numbers?

First, let's check a brief look at the past of Roman numerals. Roman numericals were initially used by the historic Romans, as you may have expected from the name. They were utilized in several angles of the Roman world, consisting of trade, architecture, and even war.

Currently, its extensive use is primarily due to aesthetic reasons. You may 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 system represents numbers utilizing a blend of characters from the Latin alphabet. Letters are mixed to form groups that represent numbers. Seven characters, I, V, X, L, C, D, and M, represent the numericals 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, and 1000, individually. You can then blend 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 numbers are based on linear and subtractive principles. This states that a Roman numeral's numeric values are based on the sum of the values of its particular parts. One more important distinction is that the decimal approach is established on the number 10. In comparison, Roman numbers are founded on the numericals 1 (I), 5 (V) and 10 (X).

Examples

Let's take a look at a few hands-on examples of Roman numbers.

The computer game street fighter IV was released in arcades back in 2008. If we observe the number in the title, we see it includes a V in it. This is because the numerical 5 in Roman number is described by the letter V. Preceded by it is an I, or 1. Thus, we comprehend that this is the 4th to enter in the series using the characteristics we will discuss subsequently in the article.

The movie Star Wars Episode VI was the latest to enter the original trilogy. Looking at 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, letting us know this Star Wars movie is the 6th episode in the franchise.

Roman Numerals Chart

To read Roman numbers, it is crucial to know the numeric value of all the letters. To guide make this operation easy, here is a chart with every Latin characters with defined numeric values.

How to Transform from Roman Numbers to Everyday Numericals

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

Steps to Transform Roman numerals to Everyday Numericals

To transform Roman numbers to everyday numericals, we will utilize the additive and subtractive principles we went through.

• Start at the leftmost Roman numeral in the group.

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

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

• All you must do now is repeat this process unless 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.

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

• The Roman number to its right is X or 10. Because 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 get 70.

• The Roman numeral to the right of X is V or 5. Since 5 is less than 70, we add the two values and we find 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 we find 76.

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

Example 2

Take into account the Roman number MCMIII.

• Begin with the leftmost Roman numeral, which is M or 1000.

• The Roman number 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 number to the right of M is I or 1. Because 1 is less than 1900, we sum the both values and get 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 add 1 to 1902 and we find 1903.

Given that we have reached the end of the Roman number group, we stop here with our result. Thus, the Roman numeral MCMIII is as same as the regular number 1903.

With this knowledge and a little practice, you will change Roman numbers to regular numbers like a professional!

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