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

When you consider numbers nowadays, the first of all that pops in your head is the decimal system we use daily. This system, however, is not the single fashion to represent numericals. There are many approaches used by different cultures around the world that use all types of characters. One of approach is Roman numerals.

Given that ancient Rome, Roman numbers have been a way of writing numbers utilizing a combination of letters from the Latin alphabet. It remained during the Middle Ages and the modern day, to the extend it is still educated in school, that is possibly why you have stumbled upon this blog.

Now, we are going to walkthrough Roman numerals, what they are, how they operate, and how to transform Roman numerals to ordinary numbers.

What Are Roman Numerals?

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

Currently, its widespread use is mainly due to aesthetic reasons. You may have seen Roman numerals 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 represents numericals using a combination of letters from the Latin alphabet. Letters are blended to make groups that represent numbers. Seven alphabets, I, V, X, L, C, D, and M, symbolizes the numericals 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, and 1000, individually. You can then combine these numericals to depict any value in the number system.

Meaning of the Roman numerals

While the decimal system is based on the ideas of place value, Roman numbers are founded on cumulative and subtractive principles. This states that a Roman number's numeric values are established on the sum of the values of its particular parts. One more important difference is that the decimal system is established on the number 10. In comparison, Roman numerals are founded on the numbers 1 (I), 5 (V) and 10 (X).

Examples

Let's check out a few practical examples of Roman numerals.

The video game street fighter IV was released in arcades as early as 2008. If we observe the numericals in the name, we see it includes 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 understand that this is the 4th entry in the series using the properties we will speak on subsequently in the article.

The movie Star Wars Episode VI was the last to enter the original trilogy. Looking at the value represented, it comprises a V ensued by an I. Thus, we will include a 1 to the value of V, that is 5, letting us know this Star Wars movie is the 6th entry in the franchise.

Roman Numerals Chart

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

How to Transform from Roman Numbers to Everyday Numericals

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

Steps to Transform Roman numerals to Regular Numbers

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

• Begin with the leftmost Roman numerical in the group.

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

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

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

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

Example 1

Study the Roman numeral LXXVI.

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

• The Roman numeral to its right is X or 10. Because 10 is lesser 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 the result is 70.

• The Roman number to the right of X is V or 5. Considering 5 is less than 70, we add the both values and get 75.

• The Roman number 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 numeral group. Consequently, the Roman number LXXVI is equivalent to the regular number 76.

Example 2

Take into account the Roman numeral MCMIII.

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

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

• The Roman number to the right of M is I or 1. Since 1 is less than 1900, we sum the two values and get 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 sum 1 to 1902 and get 1903.

Because 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 regular number 1903.

With this knowledge and a little practice, you will transform Roman numerals to decimal numbers like a professional!

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