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

When you consider numbers currently, the first of all that comes to mind is the decimal system we utilize daily. This method, however, is not the only way to represent numbers. There are many systems utilized by various cultures around the world that use all types of symbols. Classified among many one of the approach is Roman numerals.

Since ancient Rome, Roman numerals have been a method of writing numbers utilizing a mixture 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, which is possibly why you have come across this article.

Today, we are going to check out Roman numbers, what they are, how they work, and how to transform Roman numerals to regular numbers.

What Are Roman Numerals?

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

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

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

Meaning of the Roman numerals

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

Examples

Let's look at a few interactive examples of Roman numbers.

The electronic 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 because the numerical 5 in Roman number is described by the alphabet V. Preceded by it is an I, or 1. Thus, we understand 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. Observing the value portrayed, it comprises a V followed by an I. Therefore, we will add a 1 to the value of V, that is 5, concluding this Star Wars film is the 6th episode in the franchise.

Roman Numerals Chart

To read Roman numerals, it is crucial to know the numeric value of all the characters. To help make this function easy, here is a chart with all Latin letters with allocated numeric values.

How to Transform from Roman Numbers to Everyday Numbers

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

Steps to Convert Roman numbers to Everyday Numbers

To transform Roman numbers to regular numericals, we will use the cumulative 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 number to its right is more in value, deduct the Roman numeral on the right from the Roman numbers to its left.

• All you must do now is repeat this process until you arrive at the end of the Roman number group.

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

Example 1

Consider the Roman numeral LXXVI.

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

• The Roman number to its right is X or 10. Considering 10 is lesser 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 numeral to the right of X is V or 5. Because 5 is less than 70, we add the two values and we find 75.

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

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

Example 2

Consider the Roman number MCMIII.

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

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

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

• The Roman number to the right of I is I again. We sum 1 to 1901 and we find 1902.

• The Roman numeral to the right of I is I again. We sum 1 to 1902 and get 1903.

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

With this data and a some practice, you will transform Roman numbers to decimal numbers like a professional!

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