Roman numeral | Chart & Facts (2024)

mathematics

verifiedCite

While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies.Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.

Select Citation Style

Feedback

Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

External Websites

Britannica Websites

Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.

  • Roman numerals - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)
  • Roman numeral - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)

Print

verifiedCite

While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies.Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.

Select Citation Style

Feedback

Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

External Websites

Britannica Websites

Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.

  • Roman numerals - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)
  • Roman numeral - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)

Written and fact-checked by

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Article History

clock with Roman numerals

See all media

Related Topics:
ancient Rome
c
i
d
l

See all related content →

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 some interesting facts about Roman numerals? ›

As a non-positional numeral system, Roman numerals have no "place-keeping" zeros. Furthermore, the system as used by the Romans lacked a numeral for the number zero itself (that is, what remains after 1 is subtracted from 1).

What is the rule for Roman numerals? ›

Rules of the Roman Numeral System

If a symbol is repeated, its value is added as many times as it occurs. For example, II=2, XX=20 etc. The symbols V, L and D are never repeated. A symbol is not repeated more than three times.

What each Roman numeral stands for? ›

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. Different arrangements of these seven symbols represent different numbers. The numbers 1–10 are: 1 = I.

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.

Why are Roman numerals important in everyday life? ›

Roman numerals can be found in instructional materials, movie credits for copyright dates, clock faces, book chapter numbers, and badges denoting the year of construction.

What does l stand for in Roman numerals? ›

here are the commonly used Roman numerals: I = 1. L = 50 M = 1000. V = 5. C = 100.

What is a common mistake in Roman Numerals? ›

Another common mistake is adding all values of the numerals together, instead of subtracting the value of any smaller numeral that comes before a larger numeral. For example, a child might read LIX as 61, rather than 59. The third most common error is using more than three repeated numerals next to each other.

What number Cannot be used in Roman Numerals? ›

There is no Roman numeral for the number zero (0).

How to understand Roman Numerals? ›

In roman numerals, alphabets are used to represent the fixed positive numbers. These roman numerals are I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, and X represent 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 respectively. After 10, the roman numerals are followed by XI for 11, XII for 12, XII for 13, … till XX for 20.

What does d stand for in Roman Numerals? ›

The number 500 in Roman Numerals is directly represented by the letter D. Hence, there is no method to perform addition or subtraction for D Roman Numerals. Thus, the numerical value of D Roman Numerals is 500.

Why do we still use Roman Numerals? ›

Roman numerals are a numeral system that originated in Ancient Rome and are still used today. They can be found on clocks, watches, sun dials and, book chapters, and are used as numbering, bullet points and to identify kings, queens and popes.

Did you know 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.

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.

Why are Roman numerals interesting? ›

Roman numerals are still used today. A few examples include to mark the year of construction on building cornerstones or to signify annual events such as the Super Bowl. They are also used as generational suffixes, like in John Smith III (the third). In mathematics, Roman numerals are used in the coordinate plane.

How old is Roman numerals? ›

The system dates back about 2,000 years, to the time of ancient Rome. Roman numerals have been mostly replaced by Arabic numbers (1, 2, 3…).

What is the greatest number in Roman numerals? ›

The largest number which can be written with the standard symbols of the Roman numerals I, V, X, L, C, D, and M is MMMCMXCIX, or 3,999.

Did Roman numerals have a zero? ›

But the word NULLA (the Latin word meaning "none") used to represent the number zero as 0 does not have its own Roman numeral. Thus, there is no zero(0) in the Roman numeral system.

Top Articles
Sheet Pan Buffalo Chicken Pizza.
Creamy Buffalo Chicken Chili {Paleo, Whole30} -
'That's Hilarious': Ahsoka's Ezra Bridger Actor Reveals Surprising True-To-Life Detail Behind Sabine Reunion Scene
Trivago Manhattan
Craigslist In Lakeland
دانلود فیلم Toc Toc بدون سانسور
They Cloned Tyrone Showtimes Near Showbiz Cinemas - Kingwood
29 Best Free Sports Streaming Sites | Sept. 2024 (No Ads!)
Tammi Light Obituary
Uw Oshkosh Wrestling
Craigslist Cars For Sale By Owner Oklahoma City
Does the MLB allow gambling? Here's what to know about League Rule 21
Elizabeth Holmes Fappening
Sitcoms Online Message Board
Ck3 Diplomatic Range
Immobiliare di Felice| Appartamento | Appartamento in vendita Porto San
15:30 Est
Unveiling The Fascination: Makayla Campinos Video
Hulu documentary delves deeper into the Randall Emmett scandal
Loterie Midi 30 Aujourd'hui
Streameast Io Soccer
Craigslist Vt Heavy Equipment - Craigslist Near You
Ella Phipps Haughton
Nehemiah 6 Kjv
20 of the Best Restaurants in Moscow, Russia by a Local
Antique Wedding Favors
Sealy Posturepedic Carver 11 Firm
Lux Nails Columbia Mo
Durrell: The Alexandria Quartet - The Modern Novel
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina: Abwechslungsreicher Freizeitspaß unter der Südstaaten-Sonne
Great Clips Radio Road
Preventice Learnworlds
The Nun 2 Showtimes Near Cinemark Towson And Xd
Ap Macro Calculator
Keyn Car Shows
Rexella Van Impe Net Worth
Karen Ivery Reddit
Victor Predictions Today
Lake Erie Noaa Near Shore
Calverton-Galway Local Park Photos
Glowforge Forum
Metrocast Channel Lineup
Klipsch Launches World’s First Sound Bar with Dirac Live… | Klipsch
Cetaphil Samples For Providers
Leslie Pool Supply Simi Valley
Dollar General Penny List July 18 2023
Lompoc Record Arrest Log
Westside Veterinary Hospital Arab Photos
Nfl Spotrac Transactions
Job ID:24023861 - Compliance and Operational Risk Specialist - Multiple Locations
Arlene Grayson And Brittany Murphy
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Saturnina Altenwerth DVM

Last Updated:

Views: 6607

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (64 voted)

Reviews: 95% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Saturnina Altenwerth DVM

Birthday: 1992-08-21

Address: Apt. 237 662 Haag Mills, East Verenaport, MO 57071-5493

Phone: +331850833384

Job: District Real-Estate Architect

Hobby: Skateboarding, Taxidermy, Air sports, Painting, Knife making, Letterboxing, Inline skating

Introduction: My name is Saturnina Altenwerth DVM, I am a witty, perfect, combative, beautiful, determined, fancy, determined person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.