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

When you consider numericals at present, the first of all that comes to mind is the decimal method we use regularly. This system, however, is not the only way to depict numericals. There are multiple methods utilized by different cultures worldwide that utilize all kinds of characters. One of method is Roman numbers.

Since ancient Rome, Roman numerals have become a method of expressing numericals using a mixture of characters from the Latin alphabet. It remained during the Middle Ages and the modern day, to the point it is still educated in school, that is possibly why you have stumbled upon this article.

Now, we are gonna to check out Roman numerals, what they are, 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 numerals. Roman numbers were initially used by the historic Romans, as you might have expected from the name. They were employed in several angles of the Roman world, consisting of trade, architecture, and even war.

Currently, its extensive use is primarily because of its 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 numeral approach consist of numbers utilizing a blend of characters from the Latin alphabet. Letters are combined to create groups that depict numbers. Seven letters, I, V, X, L, C, D, and M, depicts the numbers 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, and 1000, separately. You can then combine these numericals to depict any value in the numerical system.

Meaning of the Roman numerals

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

Examples

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

The electronic game street fighter IV was released in arcades as early as 2008. If we take a look at the number in the title, we see it has a V in it. This is because the number 5 in Roman number is portrayed by the letter V. Preceded by it is an I, or 1. Therefore, we grasp that this is the 4th to enter in the series utilizing the characteristics we will talk about further ahead.

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

Roman Numerals Chart

To read Roman numbers, it is essential to understand the numeric value of all the letters. To guide make this process easy, here is a chart with all Latin alphabets with assigned number values.

How to Change from Roman Numerals to Decimal Numbers

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

Steps to Transform Roman numerals to Decimal Numericals

To transform Roman numbers to regular numbers, we will utilize the cumulative and subtractive principles we went through.

• Begin with the leftmost Roman numeral in the group.

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

• If the Roman number to its right is higher in value, subtract the Roman numeral on the right from the Roman numeral to its left.

• All you should do now is replicate this process until you arrive at the end of the Roman number group.

Let's see how you can change Roman numerals with a some examples.

Example 1

Study the Roman numeral LXXVI.

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

• The Roman number to its right is X or 10. Since 10 is lesser than 50, we sum the both 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. Considering 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. Since 1 is less than 75, we add the both values and we find 76.

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

Example 2

Take into account the Roman numeral MCMIII.

• Start at the leftmost Roman number, that is M or 1000.

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

• The Roman number to the right of M is I or 1. Since 1 is less than 1900, we add the two values and we find 1901.

• The Roman numeral 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 get 1903.

Given that we have arrived the end of the Roman numeral group, we stop here with our answer. Therefore, the Roman number MCMIII is equal to the decimal number 1903.

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

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