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

When you consider numericals nowadays, the first of all that pops in your head is the decimal method we use daily. This system, however, is not the only approach to represent numbers. There are many systems used by different cultures around the world that use all kinds of symbols. One of approach is Roman numbers.

Given that ancient Rome, Roman numbers have become a way of writing numericals using a blend of characters from the Latin alphabet. It existed during the Middle Ages and the modern day, to the extend it is still learned in school, that is perhaps why you have stumbled upon this post.

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

What Are Roman Numerals?

First, let's check a brief look at the past of Roman numbers. Roman numericals were initially used by the ancient Romans, as you may have predicted from the name. They were used in many aspects of the Roman world, including business, architecture, and even warfare.

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

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

Meaning of the Roman numerals

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

Examples

Let's take a look at a few practical 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 number in the name, we see it includes 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 comprehend 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 latest to enter the original trilogy. Looking at the value described, it comprises a V ensued by an I. Hence, we will add a 1 to the value of V, that is 5, comprehending this Star Wars film is the 6th to enter the franchise.

Roman Numerals Chart

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

How to Change from Roman Numerals to Decimal Numbers

Since we have the convenient table of Roman numerals, we can utilize that data to change numbers back and forth quickly. Following these steps, you will convert these values whenever you want.

Steps to Change Roman numbers to Decimal Numbers

To convert Roman numbers to regular numericals, we will utilize the additive and subtractive principles we discussed.

• Begin with the leftmost Roman numeral in the group.

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

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

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

Let's see how you can convert Roman numbers with a few examples.

Example 1

Study the Roman numeral LXXVI.

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

• The Roman number to its right is X or 10. Because 10 is less than 50, we add the both 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 numeral to the right of X is V or 5. Since 5 is less than 70, we sum the two values and get 75.

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

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

Example 2

Study the Roman numeral MCMIII.

• Begin with the leftmost Roman numeral, 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 refers to 900.

• The Roman number to the right of M is I or 1. Because 1 is less than 1900, we sum the both values and get 1901.

• The Roman number to the right of I is I again. We add 1 to 1901 and get 1902.

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

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

With this information and a some practice, you will transform Roman numerals to regular numbers like a pro!

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