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

While you think about numbers nowadays, the first thing that pops in your head is the decimal system we use regularly. This method, however, is not the single fashion to portray numbers. There are many approaches utilized by different cultures worldwide that utilize all types of symbols. Classified among many one of the method is Roman numbers.

Since ancient Rome, Roman numbers have become a method of writing numbers utilizing a mixture of letters from the Latin alphabet. It persisted throughout the Middle Ages and the modern day, to the point it is still educated in school, which is perhaps why you have stumbled upon this blog.

Now, we are gonna to check out Roman numbers, definition, how they function, and how to transform Roman numerals to ordinary numbers.

What Are Roman Numerals?

First, let's take a quick look at the history of Roman numerals. Roman numbers were initially utilized by the ancient Romans, as you might have predicted from the name. They were employed in multiple aspects of the Roman world, including trade, architecture, and even war.

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

The Roman number system represents numericals using a combination of letters from the Latin alphabet. Letters are mixed to make groups that represent numbers. Seven letters, I, V, X, L, C, D, and M, represent the numericals 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, and 1000, individually. You can then combine these numbers to portray any value in the number system.

Meaning of the Roman numerals

Even though the decimal system is established on the concept of place value, Roman numbers are established on additive and subtractive principles. This refers that a Roman number's numeric values are established on the sum of the values of its particular parts. Another important difference is that the decimal system is established on the number 10. In comparison, Roman numerals are established on the numbers 1 (I), 5 (V) and 10 (X).

Examples

Let's take a look at a few practical examples of Roman numerals.

The video game street fighter IV was released in arcades as early as 2008. If we look at the number in the name, we see it includes a V in it. This is because the number 5 in Roman numerals is portrayed by the alphabet V. Preceded by it is an I, or 1. Thus, we understand that this is the 4th entry in the series using the properties we will speak on subsequently in the article.

The film Star Wars Episode VI was the last entry in the original trilogy. Observing the value portrayed, it includes a V ensued by an I. Hence, we will include a 1 to the value of V, that is 5, comprehending this Star Wars film is the 6th episode in the franchise.

Roman Numerals Chart

To read Roman numerals, it is essential to understand the numeric value of all the letters. To help make this function easy, here is a chart with all Latin characters with assigned number values.

How to Transform from Roman Numbers to Decimal Numbers

Now that we have the convenient table of Roman numerals, we can utilize that information to transform numbers back and forth simply. Following these steps, you will convert these values at any time.

Steps to Change Roman numerals to Regular Numbers

To transform Roman numbers to decimal numbers, we will utilize the additive and subtractive principles we went through.

• Begin with the leftmost Roman numerical in the group.

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

• If the Roman numerical 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 replicate this process until you reach the end of the Roman number group.

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

Example 1

Study 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 find 70.

• The Roman numeral to the right of X is V or 5. Because 5 is less than 70, we sum the two values and we find 75.

• The Roman number to the right of V is I or 1. Since 1 is less than 75, we add the two values and we find 76.

We cease here at the end of the Roman number group. Therefore, the Roman numeral LXXVI is as same as the decimal number 76.

Example 2

Take into account the Roman numeral MCMIII.

• Begin with the leftmost Roman number, that is M or 1000.

• The Roman number to its right is C or 100. Because 100 is less than 1000, and it is ensued 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 add the both values and get 1901.

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

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

Since we have reached the end of the Roman number group, we stop here with our answer. Therefore, the Roman number MCMIII is equal to the decimal number 1903.

With this data and a little practice, you will transform Roman numerals to regular numbers like a professional!

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