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

When you think about numbers nowadays, the first thing that springs to mind is the decimal system we use regularly. This method, however, is not the single approach to depict numbers. There are several methods utilized by various cultures around the world that use all types of symbols. One of approach is Roman numbers.

Since ancient Rome, Roman numerals have become a way of writing numericals using a combination of letters from the Latin alphabet. It remained throughout the Middle Ages and the modern day, to the point it is still learned in school, that is perhaps why you have come across this post.

Now, we are going to look at Roman numerals, definition, how they function, and how to convert Roman numerals to ordinary numbers.

What Are Roman Numbers?

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

Currently, its extensive use is mainly because of its aesthetic reasons. You may have seen Roman numbers as hour marks on a clock, page numbering, chapter numbers, copyright dates, or in movie sequels (e.g., The Godfather Part II).

The Roman number approach consist of numericals using a combination of letters from the Latin alphabet. Characters are mixed to make groups that represent numericals. Seven letters, I, V, X, L, C, D, and M, depicts the numbers 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

Even though the decimal system is based on the concept of place value, Roman numbers are based on cumulative and subtractive principles. This states that a Roman numeral's numeric values are established on the sum of the values of its individual parts. Another major distinction is that the decimal system is established on the number 10. In contrast, Roman numerals are established on the numbers 1 (I), 5 (V) and 10 (X).

Examples

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

The computer game street fighter IV was released in arcades way back in 2008. If we observe the numericals in the name, we see it has 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. Thus, we grasp that this is the 4th entry in the series using the properties we will talk about subsequently in the article.

The film Star Wars Episode VI was the last to enter the original trilogy. Observing the value represented, it contains a V followed 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 entry in the franchise.

Roman Numerals Chart

To read Roman numerals, it is essential to get a grasp of the numeric value of all the letters. To guide make this operation easy, here is a chart with every Latin characters with allocated numeric values.

How to Transform from Roman Numbers to Decimal Numericals

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

Steps to Transform Roman numerals to Regular Numbers

To change Roman numbers to regular numericals, we will utilize the linear and subtractive principles we talked about.

• Start at the leftmost Roman numeral in the group.

• If the Roman number to its right is lesser in value, then sum the both values.

• If the Roman numerical to its right is higher in value, subtract the Roman number on the right from 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 few examples.

Example 1

Take a look at the Roman numeral LXXVI.

• Begin with the leftmost Roman numeral, 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 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. Because 5 is less than 70, we sum the both values and get 75.

• The Roman numeral to the right of V is I or 1. Since 1 is less than 75, we add the two values and the result is 76.

We stop here at the end of the Roman number group. Therefore, the Roman numeral LXXVI is as same as the regular number 76.

Example 2

Take into account the Roman number MCMIII.

• Begin with the leftmost Roman number, 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 means 900.

• The Roman numeral to the right of M is I or 1. Because 1 is less than 1900, we add the both values and the result is 1901.

• The Roman numeral to the right of I is I again. We add 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.

Since we have arrived the end of the Roman number group, we halt here with our result. Therefore, the Roman numeral MCMIII is equal to the decimal number 1903.

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

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