What Are Roman Numerals?
Roman numerals are an ancient numeral system that originated in Rome over two thousand years ago. Roman numerals employ letters from the Latin alphabet to represent numerical values. Although the use of Roman numerals is very limited in today’s world, there are still a few instances where we can spot Roman numerals.
For instance, denotation of chapters in a book, representing numbers on the face of the clock in Grand Central Station in New York, grades in schools like Grade I or Grade VIII, titles of global sport events like Winter and Summer Olympics or the National Football League. We can also identify Roman numerals in the names and titles of Popes and monarchs around the world to describe their lineage.
How Do We Write Numbers as Roman Numerals?
The Roman numeral system comprises a seven-letter method to represent numbers. One or more of these seven letters can be used to represent numbers in the form of Roman numerals.
The numerals are either in uppercase or lowercase as per the requirement.
Roman Numeral Forms
Numbers can be written in Roman numerals using:
1. Additive Form
In a combination of Roman Numerals, if a numeral or a combination of numerals is equal to or smaller than the preceding numeral,
the values of the numerals are added together.
Let’s take a look at examples: VII and II
In VII, II is smaller than V.
So we will add:
I → 1
V → 5
Hence, VII → (1 + 1 + 5) = 7
In II, same numerals, so II → 1 + 1 = 2.
2. Subtractive Form
In a combination of Roman numerals, if a numeral is greater than its preceding numeral, the values of the numerals
are subtracted.
Let’s take a look at an example: IX
X → 10
I → 1
Here, X is greater than I.
So we will subtract:
Hence, IX → (10 – 1) = 9
MVI Roman Numeral in Numbers
Let’s take a look at the Roman numeral, MVI. Here, VI is smaller than its preceding numeral, M. So, on applying the additive form:
VI → 6
L → 1000
Hence, MVI → (1000 + 6) = 1006.
Roman Numeral Chart
Here is a chart of Roman numerals for numbers 1 to 11 and some commonly used multiples of 10.
A number can be written as Roman Numeral using both additive and subtractive forms, however, as a standard we use the notations shown in the chart.
For example: the number 9 can be represented as:
IIIIIIIII or VIIII using additive form and IX using subtractive form. However, as a usual standard we use IX to represent the number 9 in Roman numerals.
Rapid Recall
Solved Examples
Example 1: Find the numerical value of the following expressions:
a. MVI + II
b. MVI + IV – I
c. MVI + L
d. XI + IX
Solution:
a. MVI + II
MVI → 1006
II → 2
So, MVI + II → 1006 + 2
= 1008
Hence, MVI + II is equal to 1008.
b. MVI + IV – I
MVI → 1006
IV → 4
I → 1
So, MVI + IV – I → 1006 + 4 – 1
= 1009
Hence, MVI + IV – I is equal to 1009.
c. MVI + L
MVI → 1006
L → 50
So, MVI + L → 1006 + 50
= 1056
Hence, MVI + L is equal to 1056.
d. MVI + MIV
MVI → 1006
MIV → 1004
So, MVI + MIV → 1006 + 1004
= 2010
Hence, MVI + MIV is equal to 2010.
Roman numerals in the modern scenario are used by Monarchs and popes with their name and title, as chapter numbers in books and in clocks.
The Roman numeral for 1000 is M.
A roman numeral can be converted to numbers by either applying the concept of additive form notation or the subtractive form notation.