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

When you think about numericals nowadays, the first thing that springs to mind is the decimal system we utilize daily. This system, however, is not the only fashion to portray numericals. There are a lot of approaches used by different cultures around the world that utilize all types of characters. One such approach is Roman numbers.

Since ancient Rome, Roman numbers have been a way of expressing numericals using a combination of letters from the Latin alphabet. It existed during the Middle Ages and the modern day, to the extend it is still learned in school, which is perhaps why you have come across this article.

Today, we are going to look at Roman numbers, definition, how they operate, and how to convert Roman numerals to normal numbers.

What Are Roman Numbers?

Primarily, let's look at a quick look at the history of Roman numbers. Roman numbers were first utilized by the ancient Romans, as you might have predicted from the name. They were employed in multiple angles of the Roman world, including business, architecture, and even war.

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

The Roman number approach represents numbers using a combination of characters from the Latin alphabet. Characters are mixed to create groups that represent numericals. Seven alphabets, I, V, X, L, C, D, and M, depicts the numbers 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, and 1000, individually. You can then blend these numericals to portray any value in the number system.

Meaning of the Roman numerals

Although the decimal system is based on the concept of place value, Roman numbers are established on cumulative and subtractive principles. This states that a Roman numeral's numeric values are founded on the sum of the values of its individual parts. One more major difference is that the decimal method is based on the number 10. In comparison, Roman numbers are founded on the numbers 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 way back in 2008. If we observe the number in the title, we see it has a V in it. This is due to the fact number 5 in Roman number is represented 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 using the properties we will talk about subsequently in the article.

The film Star Wars Episode VI was the latest entry in the original trilogy. Looking at the value described, it contains a V followed by an I. Therefore, we will include a 1 to the value of V, which is 5, comprehending this Star Wars film is the 6th to enter the franchise.

Roman Numerals Chart

To read Roman numbers, it is crucial to know the numeric value of all the characters. To assist you make this function easy, here is a chart with every Latin alphabets with defined numeric values.

How to Transform from Roman Numbers to Everyday Numericals

Considering we have the useful table of Roman numerals, we can use that information to transform numericals back and forth promptly. Following these steps, you will convert these values whenever you want.

Steps to Transform Roman numerals to Everyday Numbers

To transform Roman numbers to decimal numbers, we will use the linear and subtractive principles we discussed.

• Start at the leftmost Roman numerical in the group.

• If the Roman numeral to its right is lesser in value, then add the two values.

• If the Roman numerical to its right is higher in value, deduct the Roman number on the right out of the Roman numbers to its left.

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

Let's check out how you can transform Roman numerals with a few examples.

Example 1

Take a look at 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. Considering 10 is less than 50, we sum the two values and get 60.

• The Roman numeral to the right of X is X again. We add 10 to 60 and the result is 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 the result is 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 number group. Therefore, the Roman numeral LXXVI is equal to the decimal number 76.

Example 2

Consider the Roman number MCMIII.

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

• The Roman numeral to its right is C or 100. Because 100 is less than 1000, and it is ensued by an M, this value stands at 900.

• The Roman numeral to the right of M is I or 1. Considering 1 is less than 1900, we sum the both values and get 1901.

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

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

Since we have arrived the end of the Roman number group, we stop here with our result. Therefore, the Roman numeral MCMIII is as same as the decimal number 1903.

With this data and a some practice, you will transform Roman numbers to decimal numbers like a pro!

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