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

While you consider numericals at present, the first thing that pops in your head is the decimal method we utilize regularly. This system, however, is not the single way to represent numericals. There are multiple systems used by distinct cultures worldwide that utilize all sorts of symbols. One of method is Roman numbers.

Given that ancient Rome, Roman numerals have been a way of writing numericals utilizing a combination 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 possibly why you have come across this post.

Now, we are going to look at Roman numerals, definition, how they work, and how to transform Roman numerals to regular numbers.

What Are Roman Numerals?

First, let's take a quick look at the past of Roman numerals. Roman numericals were first used by the historic Romans, as you may have guessed from the name. They were utilized in many aspects of the Roman world, consisting of trade, architecture, and even warfare.

Currently, its main use is primarily attributed to aesthetic reasons. You may 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 numeral approach includes numericals employing a mixture of characters from the Latin alphabet. Characters are mixed to form groups that portray numbers. Seven alphabets, I, V, X, L, C, D, and M, depicts the numbers 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, and 1000, respectively. You can then blend these numbers to represent any value in the numerical system.

Meaning of the Roman numerals

Even though the decimal system is established on the ideas of place value, Roman numerals are based on cumulative and subtractive principles. This states that a Roman number's numeric values are based on the sum of the values of its individual parts. One more major difference is that the decimal system 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 computer game street fighter IV was released in arcades as early as 2008. If we take a look at the number in the name, we see it includes a V in it. This is because the numerical 5 in Roman numerals is represented by the alphabet V. Preceded by it is an I, or 1. Therefore, we comprehend that this is the 4th entry in the series employing the properties we will discuss down the article.

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

Roman Numerals Chart

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

How to Change from Roman Numbers to Everyday Numbers

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

Steps to Change Roman numerals to Regular Numericals

To change Roman numbers to everyday numbers, we will utilize the linear and subtractive principles we went through.

• Begin with the leftmost Roman numerical 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, subtract the Roman number on the right from the Roman numbers to its left.

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

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

Example 1

Consider the Roman numeral LXXVI.

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

• The Roman numeral to its right is X or 10. Since 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 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 both values and get 75.

• The Roman number to the right of V is I or 1. Considering 1 is less than 75, we sum the two values and we find 76.

We stop 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 numeral MCMIII.

• Initiate with the leftmost Roman numeral, which is M or 1000.

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

• The Roman numeral to the right of M is I or 1. Considering 1 is less than 1900, we add the two values and the result is 1901.

• The Roman number to the right of I is I again. We add 1 to 1901 and the result is 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 number group, we halt here with our answer. Thus, the Roman number MCMIII is equivalent to the decimal number 1903.

With this data and a little practice, you will change Roman numerals to decimal numbers like an expert!

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