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

When you think about numbers currently, the first thing that comes to mind is the decimal system we use regularly. This method, however, is not the single way to portray numbers. There are several systems used by different cultures worldwide that utilize all kinds of characters. One such method is Roman numerals.

Since ancient Rome, Roman numerals have been a way of expressing numericals using a blend of characters from the Latin alphabet. It existed during the Middle Ages and the modern day, to the extend it is still taught in school, that is probably why you have stumbled upon this blog.

Today, we are gonna to walkthrough Roman numerals, definition, how they operate, and how to convert Roman numerals to normal numbers.

What Are Roman Numerals?

First, let's check a quick look at the history of Roman numerals. Roman numericals were initially utilized by the historic Romans, as you might have predicted from the name. They were utilized in multiple aspects of the Roman world, consisting of trade, architecture, and even warfare.

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

The Roman number approach represents numbers utilizing a blend of letters from the Latin alphabet. Letters are blended to make groups that portray numbers. Seven alphabets, I, V, X, L, C, D, and M, depicts the numbers 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, and 1000, respectively. You can then blend these numbers to represent any value in the numerical system.

Meaning of the Roman numerals

Although the decimal system is founded on the concept of place value, Roman numbers are founded on linear and subtractive principles. This refers that a Roman number's numeric values are based on the sum of the values of its individual parts. Another key distinction is that the decimal system is based on the number 10. In comparison, Roman numbers are based on the numericals 1 (I), 5 (V) and 10 (X).

Examples

Let's check out a few practical examples of Roman numbers.

The computer game street fighter IV was released in arcades way back in 2008. If we look at the number in the title, we see it consist of a V in it. This is due to the fact number 5 in Roman numerals is represented by the alphabet V. Preceded by it is an I, or 1. Thus, we understand that this is the 4th to enter in the series utilizing the characteristics we will talk about further ahead.

The movie Star Wars Episode VI was the last to enter the original trilogy. Observing the value described, it comprises a V ensued by an I. Therefore, we will include a 1 to the value of V, which is 5, letting us know this Star Wars movie is the 6th episode in the series.

Roman Numerals Chart

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

How to Convert from Roman Numbers to Regular Numericals

Now that we have the useful table of Roman numbers, we can use that information to transform numericals back and forth promptly. Following these steps, you will convert these values whenever you want.

Steps to Convert Roman numerals to Regular Numericals

To transform Roman numerals to regular numbers, we will use the additive and subtractive principles we went through.

• Start at the leftmost Roman numeral in the group.

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

• If the Roman numerical to its right is more in value, deduct the Roman numeral on the right out of the Roman numeral to its left.

• All you should do now is repeat this method until you arrive at the end of the Roman numeral group.

Let's check out how you can change Roman numbers with a few examples.

Example 1

Consider the Roman numeral LXXVI.

• Start at the leftmost Roman number, that is L or 50.

• The Roman number to its right is X or 10. Since 10 is lesser than 50, we add the both values and get 60.

• The Roman numeral to the right of X is X again. We add 10 to 60 and the result is 70.

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

• The Roman numeral to the right of V is I or 1. Because 1 is less than 75, we add the both values and the result is 76.

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

Example 2

Consider the Roman number MCMIII.

• Start at the leftmost Roman number, that is M or 1000.

• The Roman number to its right is C or 100. Since 100 is less than 1000, and it is ensued by an M, this value refers to 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 we find 1901.

• The Roman number to the right of I is I again. We add 1 to 1901 and we find 1902.

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

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

With this data and a some practice, you will convert Roman numbers to decimal numbers like an expert!

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