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

While you imagine numericals at present, the first thing that comes to mind is the decimal system we use regularly. This system, however, is not the only fashion to represent numericals. There are a lot of methods utilized by different cultures all over the world that utilize all kinds of characters. One such system is Roman numerals.

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

Now, we are gonna to check out Roman numerals, definition, how they work, and how to convert Roman numerals to normal numbers.

What Are Roman Numerals?

Primarily, let's check a quick look at the history of Roman numerals. Roman numericals were initially utilized by the historic Romans, as you might have guessed from the name. They were employed in multiple aspects of the Roman world, consisting of business, architecture, and even war.

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

The Roman number approach includes numericals using a combination of letters from the Latin alphabet. Characters are mixed to form groups that portray numbers. Seven alphabets, I, V, X, L, C, D, and M, depicts the numbers 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, and 1000, individually. 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 ideas of place value, Roman numbers are founded on linear and subtractive principles. This refers that a Roman numeral's numeric values are established on the sum of the values of its individual parts. One more key difference is that the decimal approach is founded on the number 10. In comparison, Roman numerals are established on the numericals 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 way back in 2008. If we take a look at the numericals in the name, we see it consist of a V in it. This is because the numerical 5 in Roman number is described by the letter V. Preceded by it is an I, or 1. Therefore, we understand that this is the 4th to enter in the series utilizing the characteristics we will discuss down the article.

The movie Star Wars Episode VI was the last to enter the original trilogy. Looking at the value represented, it contains a V followed by an I. Hence, we will sum a 1 to the value of V, which is 5, concluding this Star Wars film is the 6th episode in the series.

Roman Numerals Chart

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

How to Transform from Roman Numerals to Regular Numbers

Considering we have the useful table of Roman numerals, we can use that data to transform numbers back and forth promptly. Following these steps, you will change these values any time you want.

Steps to Convert Roman numbers to Decimal Numbers

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

• Start at the leftmost Roman numerical in the group.

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

• If the Roman numerical to its right is more in value, deduct the Roman numeral on the right from the Roman numbers to its left.

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

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

Example 1

Consider the Roman numeral LXXVI.

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

• The Roman number to its right is X or 10. Since 10 is less 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 get 70.

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

We stop here at the end of the Roman numeral group. Hence, the Roman numeral LXXVI is equal to the decimal number 76.

Example 2

Take into account the Roman number MCMIII.

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

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

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

• The Roman number 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 add 1 to 1902 and get 1903.

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

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

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