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

While you imagine numericals nowadays, the first thing that comes to mind is the decimal system we use everyday. This method, however, is not the single fashion to portray numbers. There are multiple systems used by distinct cultures worldwide that use all kinds of characters. One of system is Roman numbers.

Since ancient Rome, Roman numerals have become a method of expressing numbers utilizing a mixture 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 come across this article.

Today, we are going to check out Roman numerals, what they are, how they operate, and how to convert Roman numbers to ordinary numbers.

What Are Roman Numbers?

First, let's look at a quick look at the past of Roman numbers. Roman numericals were first used by the historic Romans, as you may have predicted from the name. They were utilized in multiple aspects of the Roman world, including trade, architecture, and even war.

Nowadays, its widespread use is primarily attributed to aesthetic reasons. You might have observed Roman numerals as hour marks on a clock, page numbering, chapter numbers, copyright dates, or in movie sequels (e.g., The Godfather Part III).

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

Meaning of the Roman numerals

Even though the decimal system is founded on the ideas of place value, Roman numbers are established on linear and subtractive principles. This refers that a Roman number'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 established on the number 10. In contrast, Roman numerals are established on the numbers 1 (I), 5 (V) and 10 (X).

Examples

Let's check out a few hands-on examples of Roman numerals.

The electronic game street fighter IV was released in arcades back in 2008. If we look at the numericals in the title, we see it includes a V in it. This is because the numerical 5 in Roman number is portrayed by the alphabet V. Preceded by it is an I, or 1. Thus, we understand that this is the 4th to enter in the series utilizing the properties we will talk about further ahead.

The film Star Wars Episode VI was the latest entry in the original trilogy. Looking at the value portrayed, it comprises a V followed by an I. Hence, we will include a 1 to the value of V, that is 5, letting us know this Star Wars film is the 6th entry in the franchise.

Roman Numerals Chart

To read Roman numerals, it is essential to understand the numeric value of all the letters. To help make this process easy, here is a chart with every Latin alphabets with defined number values.

How to Convert from Roman Numbers to Decimal Numbers

Since we have the handy table of Roman numerals, we can use that data to transform numericals back and forth simply. Following these steps, you will transform these values whenever you want.

Steps to Convert Roman numbers to Everyday Numericals

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

• Start at the leftmost Roman numerical in the group.

• If the Roman number to its right is smaller 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 out of the Roman numeral to its left.

• All you must do now is repeat this process unless you reach the end of the Roman numeral group.

Let's check out how you can transform Roman numbers with a some examples.

Example 1

Study the Roman numeral LXXVI.

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

• The Roman number to its right is X or 10. Because 10 is less than 50, we sum the two 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. 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. Since 1 is less than 75, we sum the two values and get 76.

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

Example 2

Study the Roman numeral MCMIII.

• Begin with the leftmost Roman numeral, that 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 number 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 sum 1 to 1901 and we find 1902.

• The Roman numeral 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 number group, we halt here with our result. So, the Roman number MCMIII is equal to the decimal number 1903.

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

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