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

While you consider numericals currently, the first thing that pops in your head is the decimal method we utilize everyday. This system, however, is not the only way to depict numericals. There are multiple approaches utilized by various cultures all over the world that utilize all sorts of characters. One such method is Roman numbers.

Given that ancient Rome, Roman numerals have been a way of expressing numbers utilizing a mixture of characters from the Latin alphabet. It existed throughout the Middle Ages and the modern day, to the point it is still learned in school, that is possibly why you have stumbled upon this blog.

Now, we are gonna to walkthrough Roman numbers, what they are, how they function, and how to convert Roman numerals to regular numbers.

What Are Roman Numerals?

Primarily, let's take a brief look at the past of Roman numbers. Roman numbers were first used by the ancient Romans, as you may have predicted from the name. They were utilized in multiple angles of the Roman world, consisting of business, architecture, and even warfare.

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

The Roman number approach consist of numbers employing a mixture of letters from the Latin alphabet. Letters are blended to create groups that portray numericals. Seven letters, I, V, X, L, C, D, and M, represent the numericals 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, and 1000, separately. You can then blend these numbers 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 based on additive and subtractive principles. This refers that a Roman number's numeric values are founded on the sum of the values of its particular parts. Another key distinction is that the decimal system is founded on the number 10. In contrast, Roman numerals are based on the numericals 1 (I), 5 (V) and 10 (X).

Examples

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

The video game street fighter IV was released in arcades back in 2008. If we take a look at the numericals in the name, we see it includes 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 to enter in the series utilizing the properties we will speak on down the article.

The movie Star Wars Episode VI was the latest to enter the original trilogy. Observing the value represented, it includes a V followed by an I. Thus, we will include a 1 to the value of V, that is 5, letting us know this Star Wars film is the 6th episode in the franchise.

Roman Numerals Chart

To read Roman numerals, it is important to know the numeric value of all the letters. To assist you make this operation easy, here is a chart with every Latin letters with assigned number values.

How to Change from Roman Numbers to Regular Numericals

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

Steps to Transform Roman numerals to Regular Numericals

To transform Roman numbers to regular numbers, we will utilize the linear and subtractive principles we discussed.

• Begin with the leftmost Roman numerical in the group.

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

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

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

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

Example 1

Take a look at the Roman numeral LXXVI.

• Start at the leftmost Roman numeral, which is L or 50.

• The Roman number to its right is X or 10. Because 10 is less than 50, we sum the both 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. Because 1 is less than 75, we sum the both values and the result is 76.

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

Example 2

Take into account the Roman numeral MCMIII.

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

• The Roman number to its right is C or 100. Since 100 is less than 1000, and it is followed 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 two values and get 1901.

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

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

Given that we have reached the end of the Roman numeral group, we halt here with our answer. Therefore, the Roman number MCMIII is as same as the decimal number 1903.

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

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