What are Roman Numerals?
Roman numerals are a distinct way of representing numbers with the use of Latin or Roman letters. This system is almost 2000 years old and originated in the era of ancient Rome. Nowadays, Roman numerals are seen in clocks or on ancient artifacts.
Let’s take a look at Roman numerals for some numbers:
- 1 is represented as I
- 2 is represented as II
- 3 is represented as III
- 4 is represented as IV
- 5 is represented as V
How do we write numbers as Roman Numerals?
The Roman numeral system comprises a seven-letter method to represent numbers. Several combinations 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 requirements.
When a numeral is followed by a value that is equal or lesser, their values are added together. For example, XXXI in Roman numerals represents 31 when expressed as natural numbers. Here X corresponds to 10 that we add together three times and I corresponds to 1 that when added to the others gives 31.
When a numeral is followed by a greater value, its values are subtracted. For example, the numeral XL is written as 40 as a natural number, where X corresponds to 10 and L corresponds to 50. Here, we are subtracting the smaller value from the larger numeral to get the value, that is L – X OR 50 – 10.
Roman numerals from 1 to 50
The following chart contains the natural numbers from 1 to 50 and these natural numbers are linked to the corresponding Roman numerals.
XXXIX as a Roman Numeral
Let’s represent the Roman numeral XXXIX in the form of a natural number.
Here, X appears 3 times followed by IX.
Now, X corresponds to 10, which we add together three times and IX corresponds to 9, which when added to the other digits gives 39.
So, XXXIX in Roman numerals represents the number 39.
Solved Examples
Example 1: Express the value of ‘24 + 15’ as Roman numerals.
Solution:
Let us separately find the values of 24 and 15 respectively and then we will find the collective value when these numbers are added.
The value of 24 is XXIV
The value of 15 is XV
Now their total value is,
24 + 15 = XXIV + XV
= X + X + X + IV + V [Arranging the Roman numerals]
= XXX + IV + V
= XXX + IX [Adding IV and V together to get IX]
= XXXIX
Hence, the value of ‘24 + 15’ is 39, which can be expressed as XXXIX in Roman numerals.
Example 2: Find the value of XXXV + XXV.
Solution:
The chart of Roman numerals helps us find the values of XXXV and XXV individually.
XXXV is 35, and XXV is 25.
Now, add the values.
XXXV + XXV = 35 + 25 = 60
Hence, the value of XXXV + XXV is 60.
Example 3: How do you write 1039 in Roman numerals?
Solution:
In order to convert 1039 to a Roman numeral, break the number into thousands, hundreds, tens, and ones.
So, 1039 is 1000 + 30 + 9.
Now, 1000 is written as M in Roman numerals.
30 is written as XXX in Roman numerals.
9 is written as IX in Roman numerals.
Therefore, 1039 is written as a Roman numeral is MXXXIX.
Roman numerals are not used nowadays, other than in specific cases. They are used in analog clocks, and to number the topics or chapters in the index pages or the first few pages of books. Roman numerals are used by kings, queens, and popes as well, as an extension of their names.
IX, XII, XX, and XL are a few examples of Roman numerals.
Roman numerals are denoted by letters of the Latin alphabet in either uppercase or lowercase letters.