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

When you imagine numericals nowadays, the first of all that springs to mind is the decimal system we use regularly. This method, however, is not the only approach to portray numbers. There are a lot of methods utilized by distinct cultures all over the world that utilize all sorts of characters. One of method is Roman numbers.

Given that ancient Rome, Roman numbers have been a method of writing numbers utilizing a mixture of letters from the Latin alphabet. It existed during the Middle Ages and the modern day, to the extend it is still educated in school, which is perhaps why you have come across this article.

Today, we are gonna to look at Roman numerals, what they are, how they work, and how to transform Roman numerals to normal numbers.

What Are Roman Numerals?

Primarily, let's take a brief look at the history of Roman numbers. Roman numericals were first utilized by the ancient Romans, as you may have predicted from the name. They were utilized in many aspects of the Roman world, including trade, architecture, and even warfare.

Presently, its extensive use is primarily due to aesthetic reasons. You might 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 numeral approach represents numericals employing a mixture of letters from the Latin alphabet. Characters are combined to make groups that depict numericals. Seven letters, 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 portray any value in the number system.

Meaning of the Roman numerals

While the decimal system is based on the ideas of place value, Roman numerals are based on additive and subtractive principles. This means that a Roman number's numeric values are established on the sum of the values of its individual parts. One more key distinction is that the decimal method is founded on the number 10. In contrast, Roman numerals are based on the numbers 1 (I), 5 (V) and 10 (X).

Examples

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

The video game street fighter IV was released in arcades way back in 2008. If we look at 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 represented by the letter V. Preceded by it is an I, or 1. Hence, we comprehend that this is the 4th to enter in the series employing the characteristics we will discuss subsequently in the article.

The movie Star Wars Episode VI was the latest entry in the original trilogy. Observing the value represented, it comprises a V ensued by an I. Hence, we will sum a 1 to the value of V, that is 5, comprehending this Star Wars film is the 6th entry in the series.

Roman Numerals Chart

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

How to Change from Roman Numbers to Everyday Numbers

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

Steps to Change Roman numerals to Decimal Numericals

To convert Roman numbers to decimal numbers, we will utilize the linear and subtractive principles we talked about.

• Begin with the leftmost Roman numerical in the group.

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

• If the Roman number to its right is more in value, subtract the Roman numeral on the right from the Roman numbers 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 take a look how you can change Roman numbers with a some examples.

Example 1

Consider the Roman numeral LXXVI.

• Start at the leftmost Roman numeral, which is L or 50.

• The Roman numeral to its right is X or 10. Since 10 is lesser than 50, we add the two values and get 60.

• The Roman numeral to the right of X is X again. We add 10 to 60 and get 70.

• The Roman numeral to the right of X is V or 5. Considering 5 is less than 70, we add 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 add the two values and get 76.

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

Example 2

Take into account the Roman number MCMIII.

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

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

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

• The Roman number to the right of I is I again. We sum 1 to 1902 and we find 1903.

Because we have reached the end of the Roman number group, we halt here with our answer. Thus, the Roman numeral MCMIII is equivalent to the regular number 1903.

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

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