Roman Numerals

1 of 2

http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0769547.html

Math > Numbers

Roman Numerals
Try the Roman Numeral Challenge.
Roman numerals are expressed by letters of the alphabet:
I=1
V=5
X=10
L=50
C=100
D=500
M=1000
There are four basic principles for reading and writing Roman numerals:
1. A letter repeats its value that many times (XXX = 30, CC = 200, etc.). A letter can only be repeated three times.
2. If one or more letters are placed after another letter of greater value, add that amount.
VI = 6 (5 + 1 = 6)
LXX = 70 (50 + 10 + 10 = 70)
MCC = 1200 (1000 + 100 + 100 = 1200)
3. If a letter is placed before another letter of greater value, subtract that amount.
IV = 4 (5 1 = 4)
XC = 90 (100 10 = 90)
CM = 900 (1000 100 = 900)

Several rules apply for subtracting amounts from Roman numerals:

a. Only subtract powers of ten (I, X, or C, but not V or L)
For 95, do NOT write VC (100 5).
DO write XCV (XC + V or 90 + 5)
b. Only subtract one number from another.
For 13, do NOT write IIXV (15 1 - 1).
DO write XIII (X + I + I + I or 10 + 3)
c. Do not subtract a number from one that is more than 10 times greater (that is, you can subtract 1 from 10 [IX] but not 1 from
20there is no such number as IXX.)
For 99, do NOT write IC (C I or 100 - 1).
DO write XCIX (XC + IX or 90 + 9)

15-04-2015 2:13 PM

Roman Numerals

2 of 2

http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0769547.html

4. A bar placed on top of a letter or string of letters increases the numeral's value by 1,000 times.
XV = 15,

= 15,000

One

Eleven

XI

Thirty

XXX

Two

II

Twelve

XII

Forty

XL

Three III

Thirteen

XIII

Fifty

Four

IV

Fourteen

XIV

Sixty

LX

Five

Fifteen

XV

Seventy

LXX

Six

VI

Sixteen

XVI

Eighty

LXXX

Seventeen XVII

Ninety

XC

Seven VII
Eight

VIII Eighteen

XVIII One hundred

Nine

IX

Nineteen

XIX

Five hundred

Ten

Twenty

XX

One thousand M

Fact Monster/Information Please Database, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

The First Thousand Digits of Pi

Numbers
M o r e o n Ro m an Num er als fr o m Fact M o nster :
Games, quizzes, hangman, math games, same game, r oman numer al games - Ar cade style, educational games and teaching tools for kids and teacher s.
Pop cultur e quizzes and cr ossw or ds. Flash based, inter active math, science, and w or d games.
Roman Numer al Challenge - Test your know ledge of Roman numer als by playing this ex citing, inter active game!
Math: Flashcar ds, multiplication, fr actions, conver sions, measur ement - Build your skills w ith math flashcar ds and lear n mor e about r oman numer als,
pr ime number s, metr ic conver sions, multiplication, factor ials, factor s, fr actions, and all about money.
M, letter of the alphabet - M M, 13th letter of the alphabet, usually r epr esenting a bilabial nasal as in the English much. It ...
Citing Fact Monster | Add Fact Monster to your site | Contact Us | Advertise with Fact Monster | Rights | PRIVACY POLICY* * updated 1/2015 | Terms of Use
Part of Family Education Network | Homework Help | Reference Site | K-8 Kids | Poptropica | Parenting Advice | Teacher Resources | Online Gradebook
20002015 Pearson Education, publishing as Fact Monster

15-04-2015 2:13 PM