Roman numeral | Chart & Facts (2024)

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Top Questions

What are Roman numerals?

Roman numerals are the symbols used in a system of numerical notation based on the ancient Roman system. The symbols are I, V, X, L, C, D, and M, standing respectively for 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, and 1,000.

What are Roman numerals used for today?

Examples of the use of Roman numerals today include the denotation of book chapters, the title of each year’s National Football League Super Bowl as well as the titles of Summer and Winter Olympics, and the marking of hours on clock faces.

How do Roman numerals work?

In the Roman numeral system, the symbols I, V, X, L, C, D, and M stand respectively for 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, and 1,000 in the Hindu-Arabic numeral system. A symbol placed after another of equal or greater value adds its value. A symbol placed before one of greater value subtracts its value. A bar placed over a number multiplies its value by 1,000.

Where do Roman numerals come from?

As in all such matters, the origin of the Roman numeral system of numerical notation is obscure, although the changes in their forms since the 3rd century BCE are well known. Roman numerals were likely developed as a result of a need for a common method of counting in order to better conduct trade.

Is it still important to learn Roman numerals?

Despite the impracticality of using Roman numerals for mathematical calculations, which led to the widespread use of the Hindu-Arabic numeral system we know today, some people do still argue for the importance of teaching Roman numerals in schools. Proponents believe that Roman numerals have enduring cultural relevance, as seen in their continued use in sporting event titles and book chapters. Learn more.

Roman numeral, any of the symbols used in a system of numerical notation based on the ancient Roman system. The symbols are I, V, X, L, C, D, and M, standing respectively for 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, and 1,000 in the Hindu-Arabic numeral system. A symbol placed after another of equal or greater value adds its value—e.g., II = 1 + 1 = 2 and LVIII = 50 + 5 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 58. Usually only three identical symbols can be used consecutively; to express numbers beginning with a 4 or a 9, a symbol is placed before one of greater value to subtract its value—e.g., IV = −1 + 5 = 4, XC = −10 + 100 = 90, and MCMLXXXIX = 1,000 −100 + 1,000 + 50 + 10 + 10 + 10 −1 +10 = 1,989. The exceptions are 4,000, which is sometimes written as MMMM, and clocks, which usually display 4 as IIII. A bar called a vinculum placed over a number multiplies its value by 1,000.

Below is a table of Arabic numerals and their Roman numeral equivalents.

More From BritannicaIs It Still Important to Learn Roman Numerals?
Arabic and Roman numerals
Arabic Roman
1 I
2 II
3 III
4 IV
5 V
6 VI
7 VII
8 VIII
9 IX
10 X
11 XI
12 XII
13 XIII
14 XIV
15 XV
16 XVI
17 XVII
18 XVIII
19 XIX
20 XX
21 XXI
22 XXII
23 XXIII
24 XXIV
30 XXX
40 XL
50 L
60 LX
70 LXX
80 LXXX
90 XC
100 C
101 CI
102 CII
200 CC
300 CCC
400 CD
500 D
600 DC
700 DCC
800 DCCC
900 CM
1,000 M
1,001 MI
1,002 MII
1,900 MCM
2,000 MM
2,001 MMI
2,002 MMII
2,100 MMC
3,000 MMM
4,000 IV or MMMM
5,000 V

The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen.

Roman numeral | Chart & Facts (2024)

FAQs

Roman numeral | Chart & Facts? ›

The numerical system of Roman letters consists of 7 Latin letters. They are I, V, X, L, C, D, and M. Here I represents 1, V represents 5, X represents 10, L represents 50, C represents 100, D represents 500, and M represents 1000.

What are 3 facts about Roman numerals? ›

The Roman numeral system uses seven letters as numerals: I = 1; V = 5; X = 10; L = 50; C = 100; D = 500; M = 1,000. The numerals can be written as either capital or lowercase letters. A bar over a numeral multiplies its value by 1,000: for example, V = 5,000 and X = 10,000.

What is unique about Roman numerals? ›

Roman numerals use different symbols for each power of ten and there is no zero symbol, in contrast with the place value notation of Arabic numerals (in which place-keeping zeros enable the same digit to represent different powers of ten).

What are the 7 basic Roman numerals? ›

The Roman numeral system uses only seven symbols: I, V, X, L, C, D, and M. I represents the number 1, V represents 5, X is 10, L is 50, C is 100, D is 500, and M is 1,000.

Who invented Roman numerals and why? ›

The origin of Roman numerals can be traced back to ancient Rome. The Roman numeral system is believed to have evolved around the 7th century BCE from the Etruscan numeral system, which itself had roots in the ancient Greek numeral system.

What are the rules of Roman numbers? ›

Rule #1: When reading Roman Numerals, the value of the number is added from left to right if the left numeral is greater than the right numeral. Rule #2: If the left numeral is smaller than the right numeral, subtract the value of the left value from the right numeral.

Do Roman numerals stand for anything? ›

Roman numerals are the symbols used in a system of numerical notation based on the ancient Roman system. The symbols are I, V, X, L, C, D, and M, standing respectively for 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, and 1,000.

What does v mean in Roman Numerals? ›

here are the commonly used Roman numerals: I = 1. L = 50 M = 1000. V = 5.

Does v stand for 5? ›

5 in Roman Numerals is V. There are seven symbols (alphabets) used in the Roman Numeral system. They are I, V, X , L, C, D and M. They represent the numbers 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 respectively.

What does d stand for in Roman numerals? ›

500 is the number form for D Roman Numerals. In Roman Numerals, the number 500 depicts a fixed roman representation. Hence, 500 is represented as D Roman Numerals.

Which Roman numerals cannot be repeated? ›

While writing a Roman numeral, only the numerals I, X, C and M can be repeated. V, L and D cannot be repeated.

Did the Bible use Roman numerals? ›

Roman numerals are often used for the numbered books of the Bible. For example, Paul's First Epistle to the Corinthians may be written as "I Corinthians", using the Roman numeral "I" rather than the Arabic numeral "1".

What are three uses of Roman numerals? ›

Roman numerals are often used in books, often to number the chapters. Pages in appendices or introductions are also numbered with Roman numerals. In plays, they separate acts into sections. Roman numerals can be seen on fancy clocks and watches.

How old is Roman numerals? ›

The history of Roman numerals is said to have begun in about the 9th century BC. Roman numerals may have started as tally sticks used by shepherds to count their cattle. The shepherds used to cut notches in their sticks, much like tally marks we use today.

What is good about Roman numerals? ›

Roman numerals are elegant to throw around in conversation, e.g., “I've asked you vee (V) times not to keep the priestesses waiting,” or, “I've slept with eye-eye (II) people in my entire life.” It's more natural. V. Elegance in writing.

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