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

While you think about numericals currently, the first thing that pops in your head is the decimal method we use regularly. This method, however, is not the only fashion to depict numbers. There are a lot of systems used by distinct cultures worldwide that use all kinds of characters. One of approach is Roman numerals.

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

Today, we are gonna to check out Roman numerals, what they are, how they function, and how to transform Roman numbers to ordinary numbers.

What Are Roman Numbers?

Primarily, let's take a brief look at the history of Roman numbers. Roman numericals were first used by the ancient Romans, as you might have predicted from the name. They were employed in multiple aspects of the Roman world, including trade, architecture, and even war.

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

The Roman number system includes numericals using a combination of letters from the Latin alphabet. Characters are combined to make groups that portray numericals. Seven characters, I, V, X, L, C, D, and M, symbolizes the numericals 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, and 1000, separately. You can then combine these numericals to represent any value in the number system.

Meaning of the Roman numerals

While the decimal system is founded on the concept of place value, Roman numbers are based on additive and subtractive principles. This refers that a Roman numeral's numeric values are based on the sum of the values of its individual parts. One more major difference is that the decimal approach is founded on the number 10. In comparison, Roman numerals are based on the numericals 1 (I), 5 (V) and 10 (X).

Examples

Let's check out a few interactive examples of Roman numerals.

The electronic game street fighter IV was released in arcades as early as 2008. If we look at the numericals in the title, we see it consist of a V in it. This is due to the fact number 5 in Roman numerals is described by the letter V. Preceded by it is an I, or 1. Thus, we understand that this is the 4th entry in the series using the properties we will discuss subsequently in the article.

The film Star Wars Episode VI was the last entry in the original trilogy. Observing the value described, it contains a V ensued by an I. Hence, we will add a 1 to the value of V, that is 5, concluding this Star Wars film is the 6th entry in the franchise.

Roman Numerals Chart

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

How to Transform from Roman Numerals to Everyday Numericals

Now that we have the handy table of Roman numbers, we can utilize that data to change numbers back and forth promptly. Following these steps, you will change these values any time you want.

Steps to Change Roman numbers to Decimal Numbers

To convert Roman numbers to decimal numericals, we will use the cumulative and subtractive principles we discussed.

• Start at the leftmost Roman numeral in the group.

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

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

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

Let's take a look 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 number, which is L or 50.

• The Roman numeral to its right is X or 10. Because 10 is lesser than 50, we sum the two values and get 60.

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

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

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

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

Example 2

Take into account the Roman numeral MCMIII.

• Start at 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 followed 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 sum the two values and get 1901.

• The Roman numeral to the right of I is I again. We sum 1 to 1901 and get 1902.

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

Since we have reached the end of the Roman number group, we stop here with our result. Thus, the Roman number MCMIII is as same as the decimal number 1903.

With this data and a little practice, you will transform Roman numerals to regular numbers like a professional!

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