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

While you consider numericals at present, the first thing that comes to mind is the decimal system we use regularly. This system, however, is not the single fashion to represent numericals. There are many methods used by distinct cultures all over the world that use all types of characters. One such system is Roman numerals.

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

Today, we are gonna to look at Roman numerals, definition, how they operate, and how to transform Roman numbers to regular numbers.

What Are Roman Numbers?

Primarily, let's check a quick look at the past of Roman numbers. Roman numbers were first used by the historic Romans, as you might have expected from the name. They were employed in multiple angles of the Roman world, including business, architecture, and even warfare.

Currently, its widespread use is primarily because of its artistic reasons. You may have observed Roman numbers as hour marks on a clock, copyright dates, page numbering, chapter numbers, or in movie sequels (e.g., The Godfather Part II).

The Roman number system includes numbers using a combination of characters from the Latin alphabet. Letters are mixed to form groups that portray numbers. Seven alphabets, I, V, X, L, C, D, and M, depicts the numericals 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, and 1000, respectively. You can then combine these numbers to depict any value in the numerical system.

Meaning of the Roman numerals

Although the decimal system is established on the ideas of place value, Roman numerals are founded on linear and subtractive principles. This refers that a Roman numeral's numeric values are established on the sum of the values of its individual parts. One more key difference is that the decimal approach is established 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 practical examples of Roman numerals.

The computer game street fighter IV was released in arcades as early as 2008. If we observe the number in the name, we see it has a V in it. This is due to the fact numerical 5 in Roman number 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 characteristics we will talk about down the article.

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

Roman Numerals Chart

To read Roman numbers, it is essential to understand the numeric value of all the characters. To assist you make this process easy, here is a chart with all Latin letters with assigned numeric values.

How to Convert from Roman Numbers to Everyday Numbers

Since we have the useful table of Roman numbers, we can utilize that data to change numericals back and forth simply. Following these steps, you will change these values any time you want.

Steps to Change Roman numerals to Decimal Numericals

To change Roman numbers to everyday numericals, we will utilize the additive and subtractive principles we talked about.

• Begin with the leftmost Roman numeral 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 greater in value, deduct the Roman number on the right from the Roman numeral to its left.

• All you must do now is repeat this method unless you arrive at the end of the Roman numeral group.

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

Example 1

Consider the Roman numeral LXXVI.

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

• The Roman number to its right is X or 10. Considering 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 numeral to the right of X is V or 5. Considering 5 is less than 70, we add the two values and get 75.

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

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

Example 2

Take into account the Roman numeral MCMIII.

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

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

• The Roman numeral to the right of M is I or 1. Because 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 sum 1 to 1901 and we find 1902.

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

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

With this information and a some practice, you will convert Roman numerals to decimal numbers like an expert!

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