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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
For what number does this Roman numeral stand?
MMCMXLIX
Answer
MM = 2000
CM = 1000 - 100 = 900
XL = 50 - 10 = 40
IX = 10 - 1 = 9
So MMCMXLIX = 2949
It may look complicated, but just take it one step at a time and you'll soon get the hang of it.
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