The numbers that we use today are not the same as the ones the Romans used.

Roman numerals were used all over the Roman Empire.

 

 

In the United Kingdom, they are still used occasionally, for example, on film credits and clock faces.

 

Remember that the Romans didn't have a symbol for the number 0.

The Romans used these symbols:

 

I  = 1

V = 5

X = 10

L = 50

C = 100

 

All other numbers up to 100 can be built using these symbols by adding or subtracting.

 

You should know the following:

 

1	I
2	II
3	III
4	IV	I before V is 1 less than 5
5	V
6	VI	I after V is 1 more than 5
7	VII	II after V is 2 more than 5
8	VIII	III after V is 3 more than 5
9	IX	I before X is 1 less than 10
10	X
11	XI	I after X is 1 more than 10
12	XII	II after X is 2 more than 10

 

 

We build bigger numbers by adding 10s or Xs in Roman numerals.

 

20	XX	= X + X = 20
21	XXI	= XX + I = 20 + 1
30	XXX	= X + X + X = 30
37	XXXVII	= XXX + VII = 30 + 7
40	XL	= X before L is 10 less than 50 or 50 - 10 = 40
48	XLVIII	= XL + VIII = 40 + 8 = 48
49	XLIX	= XL + IX = 40 + 9 = 49
50	L

 

 

 

Example

Convert the number 46 to Roman numerals.

 

Answer

46 = 40 + 6 = XL + VI = XLVI

 

Let's have a go at some questions now.

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