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

When you consider numbers nowadays, the first thing that springs to mind is the decimal method we utilize daily. This system, however, is not the only approach to depict numbers. There are multiple approaches utilized by distinct cultures worldwide that use all sorts of symbols. Classified among many one of the method is Roman numbers.

Since ancient Rome, Roman numerals have become a method of writing numericals utilizing a mixture of characters from the Latin alphabet. It persisted during the Middle Ages and the modern day, to the point it is still learned in school, that is possibly why you have come across this blog.

Now, we are going to walkthrough Roman numerals, what they are, how they work, and how to change Roman numbers to normal numbers.

What Are Roman Numbers?

First, let's take a brief look at the history of Roman numbers. Roman numericals were initially utilized by the historic Romans, as you might have expected from the name. They were utilized in multiple aspects of the Roman world, consisting of business, architecture, and even warfare.

Presently, its main use is primarily due to aesthetic reasons. You might have seen Roman numbers as hour marks on a clock, chapter numbers, page numbering, copyright dates, or in movie sequels (e.g., The Godfather Part II).

The Roman numeral approach consist of numericals employing a mixture of letters from the Latin alphabet. Letters are blended to create groups that represent numericals. Seven alphabets, I, V, X, L, C, D, and M, represent the numericals 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, and 1000, separately. You can then combine these numbers to depict any value in the numerical system.

Meaning of the Roman numerals

Even though the decimal system is established on the ideas of place value, Roman numbers are established on linear and subtractive principles. This means that a Roman number's numeric values are based on the sum of the values of its individual parts. Another important difference is that the decimal method is founded on the number 10. In comparison, Roman numbers are based on the numericals 1 (I), 5 (V) and 10 (X).

Examples

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

The electronic game street fighter IV was released in arcades as early as 2008. If we observe the number in the name, we see it has a V in it. This is due to the fact numerical 5 in Roman number is portrayed by the letter V. Preceded by it is an I, or 1. Therefore, we comprehend that this is the 4th entry in the series employing the properties we will talk about subsequently in the article.

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

Roman Numerals Chart

To read Roman numerals, it is essential to know the numeric value of all the characters. To assist you make this process easy, here is a chart with all Latin alphabets with assigned numeric values.

How to Transform from Roman Numbers to Regular Numericals

Considering we have the convenient table of Roman numbers, we can utilize that information to transform numericals back and forth promptly. Following these steps, you will convert these values any time you want.

Steps to Transform Roman numerals to Everyday Numericals

To change Roman numerals to everyday numbers, we will use the additive and subtractive principles we discussed.

• Begin with the leftmost Roman numeral in the group.

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

• If the Roman numerical to its right is higher in value, subtract the Roman numeral on the right from the Roman numeral to its left.

• All you must do now is replicate this process until you arrive at the end of the Roman numeral group.

Let's check out how you can transform Roman numerals with a few examples.

Example 1

Take a look at the Roman numeral LXXVI.

• Start at the leftmost Roman numeral, which is L or 50.

• The Roman number to its right is X or 10. Since 10 is less than 50, we sum the two values and get 60.

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

• The Roman numeral to the right of X is V or 5. Since 5 is less than 70, we add the both values and we find 75.

• The Roman numeral to the right of V is I or 1. Considering 1 is less than 75, we sum the both values and we find 76.

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

Example 2

Consider the Roman numeral MCMIII.

• Initiate with the leftmost Roman number, which is M or 1000.

• The Roman number to its right is C or 100. Because 100 is less than 1000, and it is followed by an M, this value refers to 900.

• The Roman number to the right of M is I or 1. Since 1 is less than 1900, we add the two values and we find 1901.

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

• The Roman number to the right of I is I again. We sum 1 to 1902 and the answer is 1903.

Because we have reached the end of the Roman numeral group, we stop here with our result. So, the Roman number MCMIII is as same as the decimal number 1903.

With this information and a some practice, you will transform Roman numerals to decimal numbers like a professional!

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