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

When you consider numbers at present, the first thing that springs to mind is the decimal method we utilize regularly. This system, however, is not the only fashion to depict numbers. There are a lot of approaches used by various cultures all over the world that utilize all sorts of characters. One such approach is Roman numerals.

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

Today, we are gonna to look at Roman numbers, definition, how they work, and how to convert Roman numbers to normal numbers.

What Are Roman Numerals?

First, let's check a brief look at the past of Roman numbers. Roman numbers were first used by the ancient Romans, as you may have guessed from the name. They were employed in many angles of the Roman world, consisting of business, architecture, and even warfare.

Currently, its widespread use is primarily due to aesthetic reasons. You may have seen Roman numbers as hour marks on a clock, chapter numbers, page numbering, copyright dates, or in film sequels (e.g., The Godfather Part II).

The Roman numeral system represents numbers utilizing a blend of letters from the Latin alphabet. Letters are combined to form groups that portray numbers. Seven letters, I, V, X, L, C, D, and M, depicts the numericals 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, and 1000, respectively. You can then blend these numbers to depict any value in the numerical system.

Meaning of the Roman numerals

Although the decimal system is based on the concept of place value, Roman numerals are founded on cumulative and subtractive principles. This refers that a Roman number's numeric values are established on the sum of the values of its particular parts. One more important distinction is that the decimal approach is founded on the number 10. In contrast, Roman numerals are established on the numericals 1 (I), 5 (V) and 10 (X).

Examples

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

The video game street fighter IV was released in arcades back in 2008. If we observe the numericals in the title, we see it consist of a V in it. This is due to the fact number 5 in Roman number is described by the alphabet V. Preceded by it is an I, or 1. Hence, we comprehend that this is the 4th to enter in the series using the characteristics we will discuss further ahead.

The film Star Wars Episode VI was the last to enter the original trilogy. Observing the value described, it comprises a V ensued by an I. Therefore, we will add a 1 to the value of V, which is 5, letting us know this Star Wars movie is the 6th to enter the series.

Roman Numerals Chart

To read Roman numbers, it is crucial to understand the numeric value of all the characters. To guide make this function easy, here is a chart with all Latin letters with assigned numeric values.

How to Change from Roman Numbers to Regular Numbers

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

Steps to Transform Roman numbers to Regular Numericals

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

• Start at 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 numerical to its right is greater in value, deduct the Roman numeral on the right from the Roman numbers to its left.

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

Let's take a look how you can convert Roman numerals with a some examples.

Example 1

Study the Roman numeral LXXVI.

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

• The Roman numeral to its right is X or 10. Since 10 is less than 50, we add 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 numeral to the right of X is V or 5. Because 5 is less than 70, we add the two values and we find 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 we find 76.

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

Example 2

Take into account the Roman numeral MCMIII.

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

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

• The Roman number to the right of M is I or 1. Because 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 add 1 to 1901 and the result is 1902.

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

Since we have reached the end of the Roman numeral group, we halt here with our result. So, the Roman number MCMIII is equal to the regular number 1903.

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

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