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

When you imagine numericals nowadays, the first of all that springs to mind is the decimal system we utilize daily. This method, however, is not the single approach to portray numericals. There are a lot of approaches used by different cultures all over the world that use all types of characters. Classified among many one of the system is Roman numbers.

Given that ancient Rome, Roman numerals have been a way of writing numericals utilizing a blend of characters from the Latin alphabet. It remained during the Middle Ages and the modern day, to the point it is still learned in school, which is possibly why you have stumbled upon this post.

Today, we are going to look at Roman numbers, what they are, how they operate, and how to convert Roman numerals to regular numbers.

What Are Roman Numbers?

Primarily, let's take a quick look at the history of Roman numerals. Roman numericals were first utilized by the historic Romans, as you may have guessed from the name. They were utilized in multiple aspects of the Roman world, consisting of trade, architecture, and even war.

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

The Roman number system consist of numbers employing a mixture of characters from the Latin alphabet. Letters are blended to make groups that depict numbers. Seven characters, I, V, X, L, C, D, and M, depicts the numbers 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, and 1000, individually. You can then combine these numbers to represent 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 numerals 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 individual parts. One more key distinction is that the decimal system is founded on the number 10. In contrast, Roman numerals are based on the numbers 1 (I), 5 (V) and 10 (X).

Examples

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

The computer game street fighter IV was released in arcades way back in 2008. If we look at the number in the name, we see it consist of a V in it. This is because the numerical 5 in Roman numerals is described by the alphabet V. Preceded by it is an I, or 1. Hence, we comprehend that this is the 4th to enter in the series using the properties we will discuss further ahead.

The film Star Wars Episode VI was the latest to enter the original trilogy. Observing the value portrayed, it includes a V ensued by an I. Therefore, we will sum a 1 to the value of V, which is 5, letting us know this Star Wars film is the 6th to enter the franchise.

Roman Numerals Chart

To read Roman numbers, it is crucial to get a grasp of the numeric value of all the letters. To assist you make this function easy, here is a chart with every Latin letters with allocated number values.

How to Transform from Roman Numerals to Decimal Numericals

Considering we have the handy table of Roman numerals, we can utilize that data to change numbers back and forth simply. Following these steps, you will convert these values at any time.

Steps to Transform Roman numbers to Everyday Numericals

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

• Start at the leftmost Roman numerical in the group.

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

• If the Roman number to its right is higher in value, subtract the Roman number on the right out of the Roman numbers to its left.

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

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

Example 1

Take a look at the Roman numeral LXXVI.

• Begin with the leftmost Roman numeral, which is L or 50.

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

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

• The Roman numeral to the right of X is V or 5. Considering 5 is less than 70, we add the two values and the result is 75.

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

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

Example 2

Consider the Roman numeral MCMIII.

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

• The Roman numeral 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. Because 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 sum 1 to 1901 and get 1902.

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

Given that we have reached the end of the Roman numeral group, we stop here with our answer. Thus, the Roman number MCMIII is equal to the decimal number 1903.

With this knowledge and a little practice, you will transform Roman numerals to decimal numbers like a pro!

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