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

When you think about numbers nowadays, the first of all that comes to mind is the decimal method we use everyday. This system, however, is not the single approach to depict numericals. There are a lot of systems utilized by various cultures around the world that use all kinds of characters. Classified among many one of the method is Roman numerals.

Since ancient Rome, Roman numbers have become a way of writing numbers utilizing a blend of characters from the Latin alphabet. It persisted throughout the Middle Ages and the modern day, to the extend it is still educated in school, that is perhaps why you have stumbled upon this article.

Today, we are going to look at Roman numbers, what they are, how they operate, and how to change Roman numbers to regular numbers.

What Are Roman Numbers?

First, let's look at a brief look at the history of Roman numbers. Roman numericals were initially utilized by the historic Romans, as you may have expected from the name. They were used in many angles of the Roman world, consisting of trade, architecture, and even warfare.

Presently, its extensive use is primarily attributed to artistic reasons. You might have observed Roman numbers 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 includes numericals using a combination of characters from the Latin alphabet. Letters are blended to create groups that represent numbers. Seven characters, I, V, X, L, C, D, and M, symbolizes the numbers 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, and 1000, separately. You can then combine these numericals to represent any value in the numerical system.

Meaning of the Roman numerals

Although the decimal system is based on the ideas of place value, Roman numerals are established on linear and subtractive principles. This refers that a Roman numeral's numeric values are based on the sum of the values of its individual parts. One more key difference is that the decimal system is founded on the number 10. In comparison, Roman numbers are founded on the numbers 1 (I), 5 (V) and 10 (X).

Examples

Let's look at a few hands-on examples of Roman numbers.

The video game street fighter IV was released in arcades as early as 2008. If we look at the number in the title, 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. Therefore, we comprehend that this is the 4th entry in the series employing the characteristics we will speak on subsequently in the article.

The film Star Wars Episode VI was the last to enter the original trilogy. Observing the value portrayed, it comprises a V followed by an I. Hence, we will include a 1 to the value of V, which is 5, comprehending this Star Wars film is the 6th entry in the franchise.

Roman Numerals Chart

To read Roman numbers, it is essential to know the numeric value of all the characters. To help make this process easy, here is a chart with every Latin alphabets with defined number values.

How to Convert from Roman Numerals to Everyday Numericals

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

Steps to Convert Roman numerals to Everyday Numbers

To convert Roman numerals to regular numericals, we will utilize the linear and subtractive principles we discussed.

• Begin with the leftmost Roman numeral in the group.

• If the Roman numeral to its right is lesser 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 from the Roman numeral to its left.

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

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

Example 1

Consider the Roman numeral LXXVI.

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

• The Roman number to its right is X or 10. Considering 10 is lesser 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 find 70.

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

• The Roman number to the right of V is I or 1. Considering 1 is less than 75, we sum the both values and get 76.

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

Example 2

Consider the Roman numeral MCMIII.

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

• The Roman number to its right is C or 100. Since 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 two values and the result is 1901.

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

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

Because we have arrived the end of the Roman numeral group, we halt here with our answer. So, the Roman numeral MCMIII is equivalent to the regular number 1903.

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

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