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

While you imagine numericals currently, the first of all that comes to mind is the decimal system we use daily. This system, however, is not the single fashion to portray numbers. There are a lot of approaches used by different cultures worldwide that use all kinds of symbols. Classified among many one of the method is Roman numbers.

Since ancient Rome, Roman numbers have become a way of writing numbers utilizing a combination of letters from the Latin alphabet. It persisted throughout the Middle Ages and the modern day, to the point it is still learned in school, that is probably why you have come across this blog.

Now, we are gonna to look at Roman numbers, definition, how they function, and how to transform Roman numerals to ordinary numbers.

What Are Roman Numerals?

Primarily, let's take a quick look at the past of Roman numbers. Roman numericals were first utilized by the ancient Romans, as you may have predicted from the name. They were utilized in many aspects of the Roman world, including business, architecture, and even warfare.

Nowadays, its extensive use is mainly because of its aesthetic reasons. You might have seen Roman numerals as hour marks on a clock, copyright dates, page numbering, chapter numbers, or in film sequels (e.g., The Godfather Part II).

The Roman number system consist of numbers using a combination of letters from the Latin alphabet. Letters are mixed to create 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, separately. You can then blend these numbers to depict any value in the number system.

Meaning of the Roman numerals

While the decimal system is based on the concept of place value, Roman numbers are founded on linear and subtractive principles. This means that a Roman number's numeric values are founded on the sum of the values of its particular parts. Another major distinction is that the decimal system is established on the number 10. In comparison, Roman numerals are established on the numbers 1 (I), 5 (V) and 10 (X).

Examples

Let's take a look at a few practical examples of Roman numerals.

The video game street fighter IV was released in arcades as early as 2008. If we take a look at the numericals in the name, we see it consist of a V in it. This is because the number 5 in Roman numerals is described by the alphabet V. Preceded by it is an I, or 1. Hence, we grasp that this is the 4th to enter in the series utilizing the properties we will speak on further ahead.

The movie Star Wars Episode VI was the latest entry in the original trilogy. Looking at the value portrayed, it includes a V ensued by an I. Therefore, we will sum 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 important to understand the numeric value of all the letters. To guide make this function easy, here is a chart with every Latin alphabets with allocated numeric values.

How to Change from Roman Numbers to Everyday Numericals

Now that we have the convenient table of Roman numbers, we can use that information to transform numericals back and forth simply. Following these steps, you will transform these values any time you want.

Steps to Change Roman numbers to Regular Numbers

To transform Roman numbers to everyday numericals, we will use the linear and subtractive principles we talked about.

• Start at the leftmost Roman numerical in the group.

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

• If the Roman numerical to its right is higher in value, deduct the Roman numeral on the right from the Roman numbers to its left.

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

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

Example 1

Study the Roman numeral LXXVI.

• Begin with the leftmost Roman numeral, that is L or 50.

• The Roman number to its right is X or 10. Since 10 is less than 50, we add 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. Because 5 is less than 70, we sum the both values and we find 75.

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

We cease here at the end of the Roman number group. Hence, the Roman number LXXVI is equivalent to the regular number 76.

Example 2

Consider the Roman numeral MCMIII.

• Begin with the leftmost Roman numeral, that is M or 1000.

• The Roman numeral to its right is C or 100. Considering 100 is less than 1000, and it is followed by an M, this value means 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 get 1901.

• The Roman number to the right of I is I again. We add 1 to 1901 and get 1902.

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

Given that we have reached the end of the Roman numeral group, we stop here with our answer. Thus, the Roman number MCMIII is as same as the regular number 1903.

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

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