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

When you imagine numericals nowadays, the first of all that pops in your head is the decimal system we utilize daily. This method, however, is not the only fashion to depict numericals. There are several methods utilized by distinct cultures all over the world that use all types of symbols. One such method is Roman numbers.

Given that ancient Rome, Roman numerals have been a method of expressing numericals utilizing a mixture of letters from the Latin alphabet. It persisted across the Middle Ages and the modern day, to the extend it is still learned in school, which is possibly why you have stumbled upon this article.

Now, we are gonna to walkthrough Roman numerals, definition, how they work, and how to convert Roman numbers to normal numbers.

What Are Roman Numerals?

First, let's take a quick look at the history of Roman numerals. Roman numericals were initially utilized by the historic Romans, as you may have guessed from the name. They were utilized in multiple angles of the Roman world, including trade, architecture, and even warfare.

Currently, its main use is mainly attributed to artistic reasons. You might have seen 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 approach represents numericals employing a mixture of letters from the Latin alphabet. Characters are blended to create groups that depict numericals. Seven characters, I, V, X, L, C, D, and M, depicts the numbers 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, and 1000, respectively. You can then combine these numericals 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 additive and subtractive principles. This means that a Roman number's numeric values are based on the sum of the values of its individual parts. One more key difference is that the decimal method is based on the number 10. In contrast, Roman numerals are established on the numbers 1 (I), 5 (V) and 10 (X).

Examples

Let's check out a few hands-on examples of Roman numerals.

The computer game street fighter IV was released in arcades as early as 2008. If we look at the numericals in the name, we see it has 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 understand that this is the 4th to enter in the series employing the properties we will discuss subsequently in the article.

The movie Star Wars Episode VI was the latest to enter the original trilogy. Observing the value represented, it comprises a V followed by an I. Thus, we will add a 1 to the value of V, which is 5, comprehending this Star Wars movie is the 6th entry in the franchise.

Roman Numerals Chart

To read Roman numbers, it is essential to understand the numeric value of all the letters. To assist you make this operation easy, here is a chart with every Latin letters with defined number values.

How to Change from Roman Numerals to Everyday Numericals

Considering we have the handy table of Roman numbers, we can use that information to change numbers back and forth quickly. Following these steps, you will convert these values whenever you want.

Steps to Transform Roman numbers to Decimal Numbers

To change Roman numbers to regular numericals, we will utilize the linear and subtractive principles we talked about.

• Begin with the leftmost Roman numerical 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 higher in value, subtract the Roman numeral on the right out of the Roman numbers to its left.

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

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

Example 1

Study the Roman numeral LXXVI.

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

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

• The Roman numeral to the right of X is X again. We add 10 to 60 and the result is 70.

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

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

Example 2

Study the Roman number MCMIII.

• Initiate with the leftmost Roman numeral, that 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 numeral to the right of M is I or 1. Considering 1 is less than 1900, we sum the two values and we find 1901.

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

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

Because we have reached the end of the Roman numeral group, we halt here with our result. Therefore, the Roman number MCMIII is as same as the regular number 1903.

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

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