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

While you imagine numbers currently, the first of all that comes to mind is the decimal method we utilize everyday. This method, however, is not the single approach to portray numericals. There are a lot of systems utilized by various cultures around the world that utilize all sorts of symbols. Classified among many one of the method is Roman numerals.

Given that ancient Rome, Roman numerals have become a way of writing numbers utilizing a mixture of characters from the Latin alphabet. It existed throughout the Middle Ages and the modern day, to the point it is still learned in school, which is possibly why you have come across this blog.

Today, we are going to look at Roman numerals, definition, how they function, and how to change Roman numbers to ordinary numbers.

What Are Roman Numbers?

First, let's look at a quick look at the past of Roman numerals. Roman numbers were first used by the historic Romans, as you may have guessed from the name. They were utilized in several angles of the Roman world, consisting of trade, architecture, and even war.

Currently, its extensive use is primarily because of its aesthetic reasons. You might have seen Roman numbers as hour marks on a clock, copyright dates, page numbering, chapter numbers, or in film sequels (e.g., The Godfather Part III).

The Roman number system includes numbers using a combination of characters from the Latin alphabet. Letters are mixed to create groups that depict numericals. Seven characters, I, V, X, L, C, D, and M, depicts the numbers 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, and 1000, separately. You can then mix these numericals to represent any value in the numerical system.

Meaning of the Roman numerals

Although the decimal system is founded on the ideas of place value, Roman numbers are established on cumulative and subtractive principles. This refers that a Roman numeral's numeric values are established on the sum of the values of its particular parts. Another important distinction is that the decimal system is based on the number 10. In contrast, Roman numerals are founded on the numericals 1 (I), 5 (V) and 10 (X).

Examples

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

The computer game street fighter IV was released in arcades way back in 2008. If we observe the numericals in the name, we see it consist of a V in it. This is because the numerical 5 in Roman numerals is portrayed by the alphabet V. Preceded by it is an I, or 1. Thus, we comprehend that this is the 4th entry in the series utilizing the properties we will talk about subsequently in the article.

The movie Star Wars Episode VI was the last entry in the original trilogy. Looking at the value portrayed, it includes a V ensued by an I. Therefore, we will include a 1 to the value of V, that is 5, concluding this Star Wars film is the 6th to enter the series.

Roman Numerals Chart

To read Roman numerals, it is crucial to get a grasp of the numeric value of all the characters. To help make this process easy, here is a chart with every Latin alphabets with assigned numeric values.

How to Convert from Roman Numerals to Decimal Numericals

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

Steps to Convert Roman numbers to Decimal Numericals

To convert Roman numerals to regular numbers, we will use the cumulative and subtractive principles we discussed.

• Start at the leftmost Roman numerical in the group.

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

• If the Roman number to its right is greater in value, subtract the Roman number on the right from the Roman numbers to its left.

• All you must do now is replicate this method unless you reach the end of the Roman numeral group.

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

Example 1

Study the Roman numeral LXXVI.

• Begin with the leftmost Roman number, that is L or 50.

• The Roman numeral to its right is X or 10. Since 10 is lesser 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 get 70.

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

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

We stop here at the end of the Roman numeral group. Consequently, the Roman numeral LXXVI is equivalent to the regular number 76.

Example 2

Take into account the Roman numeral MCMIII.

• Initiate with the leftmost Roman numeral, that is M or 1000.

• The Roman numeral to its right is C or 100. Considering 100 is less than 1000, and it is followed by an M, this value stands at 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 numeral 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 get 1903.

Since we have reached the end of the Roman number group, we stop here with our result. Therefore, the Roman numeral MCMIII is as same as the regular number 1903.

With this data and a some practice, you will change Roman numerals to decimal numbers like a pro!

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