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

While you think about numericals at present, the first thing that comes to mind is the decimal method we use daily. This method, however, is not the only fashion to portray numbers. There are many methods utilized by distinct cultures all over the world that utilize all sorts of characters. One of system is Roman numerals.

Since ancient Rome, Roman numbers have been a method of expressing numericals using a blend of characters from the Latin alphabet. It existed throughout the Middle Ages and the modern day, to the extend it is still educated in school, which is perhaps why you have come across this article.

Now, we are gonna to check out Roman numbers, what they are, how they work, and how to change Roman numbers to ordinary numbers.

What Are Roman Numerals?

Primarily, let's look at a quick look at the history of Roman numerals. Roman numericals were first used by the historic Romans, as you may have expected from the name. They were used in multiple aspects of the Roman world, including business, architecture, and even war.

Presently, its main use is primarily attributed to aesthetic reasons. You might have observed Roman numbers as hour marks on a clock, chapter numbers, page numbering, copyright dates, or in film sequels (e.g., The Godfather Part II).

The Roman numeral system includes numbers employing a mixture of letters from the Latin alphabet. Characters are mixed to make groups that portray numericals. Seven alphabets, I, V, X, L, C, D, and M, depicts the numericals 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, and 1000, separately. You can then mix these numbers to depict any value in the numerical system.

Meaning of the Roman numerals

While the decimal system is founded on the concept of place value, Roman numerals are established on additive 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 key distinction is that the decimal method is established on the number 10. In comparison, Roman numerals are established on the numericals 1 (I), 5 (V) and 10 (X).

Examples

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

The computer game street fighter IV was released in arcades back in 2008. If we observe the number in the name, we see it includes a V in it. This is because the number 5 in Roman number is portrayed by the alphabet V. Preceded by it is an I, or 1. Hence, we comprehend that this is the 4th to enter in the series utilizing the characteristics we will talk about subsequently in the article.

The movie Star Wars Episode VI was the last to enter the original trilogy. Looking at the value portrayed, it includes a V followed by an I. Thus, we will include a 1 to the value of V, which is 5, concluding this Star Wars movie is the 6th entry in the series.

Roman Numerals Chart

To read Roman numerals, it is important to get a grasp of the numeric value of all the letters. To assist you make this operation easy, here is a chart with every Latin characters with allocated numeric values.

How to Transform from Roman Numerals to Regular Numericals

Now that we have the handy table of Roman numerals, we can utilize that information to transform numericals back and forth quickly. Following these steps, you will change these values at any time.

Steps to Transform Roman numbers to Decimal Numbers

To change Roman numerals to decimal numericals, we will use the additive and subtractive principles we talked about.

• Start at the leftmost Roman numerical in the group.

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

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

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

Let's see how you can convert Roman numerals with a few examples.

Example 1

Take a look at the Roman numeral LXXVI.

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

• The Roman numeral to its right is X or 10. Since 10 is lesser than 50, we add the both values and get 60.

• The Roman number to the right of X is X again. We sum 10 to 60 and get 70.

• The Roman number to the right of X is V or 5. Considering 5 is less than 70, we sum the both values and get 75.

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

We halt here at the end of the Roman numeral group. Consequently, the Roman numeral LXXVI is as same as the regular number 76.

Example 2

Take into account the Roman number MCMIII.

• Initiate with 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. Because 1 is less than 1900, we add the two values and the result is 1901.

• The Roman numeral 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 answer. Therefore, the Roman number MCMIII is equal to the decimal number 1903.

With this knowledge and a some practice, you will change Roman numbers to decimal numbers like an expert!

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