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

When you imagine numbers nowadays, the first of all that springs to mind is the decimal system we utilize regularly. This method, however, is not the single way to depict numericals. There are a lot of systems utilized by various cultures worldwide that use all kinds of characters. Classified among many one of the method is Roman numbers.

Given that ancient Rome, Roman numerals have been a method of writing numericals using a mixture of characters from the Latin alphabet. It existed during the Middle Ages and the modern day, to the point it is still taught in school, that is perhaps why you have stumbled upon this article.

Now, we are going to check out Roman numerals, what they are, how they work, and how to transform Roman numbers to regular numbers.

What Are Roman Numerals?

First, let's take a quick look at the past of Roman numerals. Roman numericals were first utilized by the ancient Romans, as you may have predicted from the name. They were employed in several aspects of the Roman world, consisting of business, architecture, and even war.

Currently, its main use is mainly due to aesthetic reasons. You might have observed Roman numerals as hour marks on a clock, chapter numbers, page numbering, copyright dates, or in film sequels (e.g., The Godfather Part III).

The Roman number system includes numericals using a combination of characters from the Latin alphabet. Characters are blended to make groups that depict numericals. Seven characters, I, V, X, L, C, D, and M, symbolizes the numbers 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, and 1000, respectively. You can then mix these numbers to depict 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 founded on additive and subtractive principles. This states that a Roman numeral's numeric values are based on the sum of the values of its individual parts. One more important difference is that the decimal system is established on the number 10. In contrast, Roman numbers 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 observe the number in the name, we see it consist of a V in it. This is due to the fact numerical 5 in Roman numerals is represented by the letter V. Preceded by it is an I, or 1. Thus, we grasp that this is the 4th to enter in the series employing the properties we will discuss further ahead.

The movie Star Wars Episode VI was the latest entry in the original trilogy. Looking at the value represented, it comprises a V followed by an I. Therefore, we will include 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 comprehend the numeric value of all the letters. To assist you make this function easy, here is a chart with every Latin letters with assigned numeric values.

How to Transform from Roman Numerals to Decimal Numericals

Now that we have the convenient table of Roman numerals, we can use that data to transform numericals back and forth quickly. Following these steps, you will convert these values whenever you want.

Steps to Convert Roman numbers to Regular Numbers

To change Roman numerals to everyday numbers, we will use the cumulative and subtractive principles we went through.

• Start at the leftmost Roman numeral in the group.

• If the Roman numeral to its right is smaller in value, then sum the both values.

• If the Roman number to its right is more in value, subtract the Roman numeral on the right out of the Roman numbers to its left.

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

Let's see how you can convert Roman numbers with a few examples.

Example 1

Study the Roman numeral LXXVI.

• Initiate with the leftmost Roman number, that is L or 50.

• The Roman numeral to its right is X or 10. Because 10 is less 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 get 70.

• The Roman number to the right of X is V or 5. Since 5 is less than 70, we sum the two values and we find 75.

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

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

Example 2

Take into account the Roman number MCMIII.

• Start at the leftmost Roman numeral, which is M or 1000.

• The Roman number to its right is C or 100. Because 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. Since 1 is less than 1900, we add the both values and the result is 1901.

• The Roman numeral to the right of I is I again. We add 1 to 1901 and we find 1902.

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

Because we have reached the end of the Roman numeral group, we stop here with our result. So, the Roman number MCMIII is equivalent to the regular number 1903.

With this data and a some practice, you will change Roman numbers to regular numbers like a professional!

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