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

When you think about numbers at present, the first of all that springs to mind is the decimal system we use regularly. This method, however, is not the only approach to represent numericals. There are a lot of approaches utilized by various cultures all over the world that use all sorts of characters. Classified among many one of the method is Roman numerals.

Since ancient Rome, Roman numbers have become a method of expressing numbers using a combination of characters from the Latin alphabet. It existed throughout the Middle Ages and the modern day, to the extend it is still taught in school, that is perhaps why you have come across this post.

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

What Are Roman Numbers?

Primarily, let's take a brief look at the past of Roman numerals. Roman numbers were initially used by the ancient Romans, as you may have expected from the name. They were employed in many aspects of the Roman world, consisting of business, architecture, and even warfare.

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

The Roman number approach represents numbers using a combination of letters from the Latin alphabet. Characters are combined to create groups that portray numericals. Seven alphabets, I, V, X, L, C, D, and M, symbolizes the numbers 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, and 1000, individually. You can then blend these numericals to portray any value in the numerical system.

Meaning of the Roman numerals

While the decimal system is founded on the ideas of place value, Roman numerals are established on additive and subtractive principles. This means that a Roman numeral's numeric values are founded on the sum of the values of its particular parts. Another major difference is that the decimal approach is established 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 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 has a V in it. This is due to the fact number 5 in Roman number is portrayed by the alphabet V. Preceded by it is an I, or 1. Therefore, we understand that this is the 4th to enter in the series utilizing the properties we will talk about subsequently in the article.

The movie Star Wars Episode VI was the latest entry in the original trilogy. Observing the value portrayed, it includes a V ensued by an I. Hence, we will add a 1 to the value of V, which is 5, letting us know this Star Wars film is the 6th episode in the franchise.

Roman Numerals Chart

To read Roman numerals, it is important to get a grasp of the numeric value of all the characters. To assist you make this process easy, here is a chart with all Latin alphabets with defined numeric values.

How to Change from Roman Numerals to Regular Numericals

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

Steps to Convert Roman numbers to Decimal Numericals

To change Roman numerals to regular numbers, we will use the cumulative and subtractive principles we talked about.

• Start at the leftmost Roman numeral in the group.

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

• If the Roman number to its right is higher in value, subtract the Roman number on the right out of the Roman numeral to its left.

• All you must do now is replicate this method unless you reach the end of the Roman number group.

Let's take a look how you can convert Roman numbers with a some examples.

Example 1

Study the Roman numeral LXXVI.

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

• The Roman number to its right is X or 10. Since 10 is less than 50, we sum the both 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 both values and the result is 75.

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

Consider the Roman numeral MCMIII.

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

• The Roman numeral to its right is C or 100. Considering 100 is less than 1000, and it is followed 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 sum the two values and get 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 the answer is 1903.

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

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

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