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

When you imagine numbers at present, the first of all that pops in your head is the decimal system we use everyday. This method, however, is not the only fashion to represent numericals. There are many methods used by various cultures worldwide that use all kinds of symbols. One such system is Roman numbers.

Since ancient Rome, Roman numerals have become a way of writing numericals using a blend of letters from the Latin alphabet. It remained across the Middle Ages and the modern day, to the extend it is still educated in school, that is probably why you have stumbled upon this blog.

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

What Are Roman Numbers?

First, let's take a brief look at the history of Roman numerals. Roman numericals were initially used by the ancient Romans, as you may have predicted from the name. They were employed in multiple angles of the Roman world, consisting of trade, architecture, and even war.

Nowadays, its main use is mainly attributed to artistic reasons. You might have observed 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 numeral approach consist of numericals employing a mixture of letters from the Latin alphabet. Characters are combined to make groups that depict numericals. Seven alphabets, I, V, X, L, C, D, and M, symbolizes the numericals 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, and 1000, separately. You can then blend these numbers to represent any value in the numerical system.

Meaning of the Roman numerals

While the decimal system is established on the concept of place value, Roman numerals are founded on linear and subtractive principles. This refers that a Roman numeral's numeric values are based on the sum of the values of its particular parts. Another important distinction is that the decimal system is founded on the number 10. In comparison, Roman numbers are based on the numbers 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 back in 2008. If we observe the number in the name, we see it has a V in it. This is because the number 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 speak on down the article.

The film Star Wars Episode VI was the latest entry in the original trilogy. Observing the value portrayed, it contains a V ensued by an I. Hence, we will include a 1 to the value of V, which is 5, comprehending this Star Wars film is the 6th to enter the franchise.

Roman Numerals Chart

To read Roman numerals, it is important to know the numeric value of all the letters. To assist you make this process easy, here is a chart with every Latin letters with defined number values.

How to Convert from Roman Numbers to Regular Numericals

Since we have the useful table of Roman numerals, we can utilize that information to change numericals back and forth simply. Following these steps, you will transform these values whenever you want.

Steps to Transform Roman numerals to Everyday Numbers

To change Roman numerals to regular numericals, we will utilize the cumulative and subtractive principles we went through.

• 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 more in value, deduct the Roman number on the right from the Roman numbers to its left.

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

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

Example 1

Take a look at the Roman numeral LXXVI.

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

• The Roman numeral to its right is X or 10. Considering 10 is less than 50, we sum 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 number to the right of X is V or 5. Considering 5 is less than 70, we sum the both values and the result is 75.

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

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

Example 2

Take into account the Roman number MCMIII.

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

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

• The Roman number to the right of M is I or 1. Considering 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 number to the right of I is I again. We sum 1 to 1902 and the answer is 1903.

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

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

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