The Romans used the following symbols to represent their counting numbers:
| I = 1 |
| V = 5 |
| X = 10 |
| L = 50 |
| C = 100 |
| D = 500 |
| M = 1000 |
Certain rules apply.
A letter placed after another letter means that you add the second letter to the first letter. Examples include:
| VI = 5 + 1 = 6 |
| VII = 5 + 1 + 1 = 7 |
| VIII = 5 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 8 |
| XI = 10 + 1 = 11 |
| LX = 50 + 10 = 60 |
| MC = 1000 + 100 = 1100 |
A letter placed before another letter means that you subtract the first letter from the second. Examples include:
| IV = 5 - 1 = 4 |
| IX = 10 - 1 = 9 |
| XL = 50 - 10 = 40 |
| CM = 1000 - 100 = 900 |
Example
Write the number 3874 in Roman numerals.
Answer
MMM = 3000
DCCC = 500 + 300 = 800
L = 50
XX = 20
IV = 5 - 1 = 4
So 3874 = MMMDCCCLXXIV
Phew, that's quite a number! Are you ready to have a go at these now?
This activity contains 10 questions
