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

When you consider numbers at present, the first thing that springs to mind is the decimal system we use daily. This system, however, is not the single approach to represent numbers. There are several approaches utilized by different cultures worldwide that utilize all kinds of characters. One such method is Roman numerals.

Since ancient Rome, Roman numerals have been a way of writing numericals utilizing a combination of characters from the Latin alphabet. It remained throughout the Middle Ages and the modern day, to the extend it is still educated in school, that is probably why you have come across this article.

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

What Are Roman Numerals?

Primarily, let's take a quick look at the history of Roman numerals. Roman numbers were first used by the ancient Romans, as you may have expected from the name. They were employed in multiple angles of the Roman world, including business, architecture, and even warfare.

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

The Roman numeral approach includes numericals using a combination of letters from the Latin alphabet. Letters are mixed to make groups that portray numericals. Seven alphabets, I, V, X, L, C, D, and M, symbolizes the numericals 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, and 1000, individually. 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 ideas of place value, Roman numbers are established on linear and subtractive principles. This states that a Roman number's numeric values are established on the sum of the values of its individual parts. One more major difference is that the decimal method is based on the number 10. In contrast, Roman numerals are founded on the numericals 1 (I), 5 (V) and 10 (X).

Examples

Let's look at a few practical examples of Roman numerals.

The computer game street fighter IV was released in arcades as early as 2008. If we take a look at the numericals in the name, we see it includes a V in it. This is due to the fact number 5 in Roman number is described by the letter V. Preceded by it is an I, or 1. Hence, we grasp that this is the 4th to enter in the series employing the properties we will discuss down the article.

The movie Star Wars Episode VI was the last to enter the original trilogy. Looking at the value portrayed, it contains a V ensued by an I. Hence, we will add a 1 to the value of V, which is 5, letting us know this Star Wars movie is the 6th episode in the series.

Roman Numerals Chart

To read Roman numbers, 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 assigned number values.

How to Change from Roman Numbers to Decimal Numericals

Now that we have the useful table of Roman numerals, we can use that data to change numericals back and forth promptly. Following these steps, you will change these values at any time.

Steps to Transform Roman numbers to Everyday Numericals

To transform Roman numbers to decimal numericals, we will utilize the linear and subtractive principles we discussed.

• Start at the leftmost Roman numeral in the group.

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

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

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

Let's see how you can transform Roman numbers with a few examples.

Example 1

Study the Roman numeral LXXVI.

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

• The Roman numeral to its right is X or 10. Since 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 find 70.

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

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

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

Example 2

Consider the Roman numeral MCMIII.

• Begin with the leftmost Roman number, that is M or 1000.

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

• The Roman number to the right of M is I or 1. Because 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 get 1902.

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

Since we have reached the end of the Roman numeral group, we stop here with our answer. Therefore, the Roman number MCMIII is equal to the decimal number 1903.

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

Grade Potential Can Help You with Roman Numbers

If you struggle to get a grasp Roman numerals or any other mathematical theories, don't be afraid to connect with Grade Potential for help! Our expert and educated teachers can assist you with Roman numerals and the rest of your arithmetic homework.

Whether you are looking to sustain or do better, we’ll guide you excel in your academics so you can feel positive on test day. Schedule a free consultation!