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Roman Numerals Conversion

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Last updated date: 25th Apr 2024
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Dating back its foundation since the Roman system, the idea of converting numbers into specific symbols is the process of Roman numerals conversion. This numerical notation is represented through lines and alphabets, used in various forms to make every Roman numeral a unique one. We are going to have a look at the basics of Roman Numeral conversion along with important symbols of numbers. 

Important Details on Roman Numerals Conversion

As we read before, a number is represented as a Roman numeral using characters, lines, letters, and such. In a few cases, the respective standard subtractive notation is preferred, to identify 1 variable from the other. For example, if “I” is put before X,  it means the roman numeral represents four IV, which is 1 lesser than 5. And “I” before X is 9, which is again 1 lesser than 10. This is also noted in the case of 40, 90, 400, and 900.

Calculating the Roman Numerals

Only 7 major letters are helping several thousands of numerals to be created with accuracy. They are namely I, V, X, L, C, D and M used to denote the numbers 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 respectively.

Now, for the Calculation Part, here are a Few Pointers:

1 = 1 - I

1 + 1 = 2 - II

1 + 1 + 1 = 3 - III

5 – 1 = 4 - IV

5 - V

5 + 1 = 6 - VI

5 + 1 + 1 = 7 - VII

5 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 8 - VIII

10 – 1 = 9 - IX

10 - X

10 + 1 = 11 - XI

10 + 1 + 1 = 12 - XII

10 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 13 - XIII

10 – 1 + 5 = 14 - XIV

10 + 5 = 15 - XV

10 + 5 + 1 = 16 - XVI

10 + 5 + 1 + 1 = 17 - XVII

10 + 5 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 18 - XVIII

10 – 1 + 10 = 19 - XIX

10 + 10 = 20 - XX

1000 - M

5000 - V

10000 - X

50000 - L

100000 - C

500000 - D

1000000 - M


This Pattern Now Follows for Other Numbers as Well.

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Roman numerals are also useful to denote dates. In the process of understanding how to represent dates, let us have the format as MM-DD-YYYY (Month-Day-Year). Now, as a numeral value, the example date of  12-20-2019 can be written as XII-XX-MMXIX. Following is the list of dates converted into Roman Numerals in the 21st century. 

Presenting Dates Using Roman Numerals Conversion

2001 = MMI

2006 = MMVI

2002 = MMII

2007 = MMVII

2003 = MMIII

2008 = MMVIII

2004 = MMIV

2009 = MMIX

2005 = MMV

2010 = MMX and so on.


The Idea of Roman Numeral Conversion from Numbers

Splitting the given number is the primary step in converting a number into Roman numeral. This split is given based on the total digits or the numeral value for that given number. It is quite simple to perform numbers to Roman numeral conversion and vice-versa. Let us learn this quickly using the following case:

  • Consider the number 1786.

  • Split the number into separate digits by accounting each of its units place as ones, tens, hundreds, and thousands, which is 1786 = 1000 + 700 + 80 + 6.

  • Now, assign Roman numeral to each. 6 = VI, 80 = LXXX, 700 = DCC, and 1000 = M.

  • Lastly, put the alphabets obtained together to form the Roman numeral converted from the number. For our case, it is 1786 = MDCCLXXXVI.

Conclusion

Roman numerals are special characters and alphabets that represent a number using lines and letters. Even dates can be denoted as Roman numerals. Only 7 major characters are the backbone to denoting 1000s of Roman numerals till date. The old-timed process of a number to Roman numerals conversion or its vice-versa is quite simple and it starts by splitting the integer, based on its unit digits separately. A subtractive notation is used in the case of 400, 900, 40, 90, 4, and 9 to differentiate between the existing digits.


FAQs on Roman Numerals Conversion

1. What Does it Mean by Denoting a Bar Over a Certain Numerical?

When a specific numerical value has a bar over it, then it means that the number is multiplied by 1000 from its present value. For example, the Roman numeral “X̅” equals to the number value of 10,000.

2. Mention 1 Famous Application of Roman Numerals in Real-life.

“Big Ben”, the Great Striking Bell of London displays the time using Roman numerals 1 to 12, namely I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, and XII. This is one of the famous applications of Roman numerals in real-life.

3. Represent the Numbers 1006, 246, 789, and 2014 in the form of Roman Numerals.

1006 can be represented Roman numerically as M + LX + VI = MLXVI, 246 as CC + XL + VI = CCXLVI, 789 is denoted as DCC + LXXX + IX = DCCLXXXIX, and lastly 2014 is performed Roman numerals conversion as MM + X + IV = MMXIV. 

4. What is the Roman Numeral to Denote the Number 0 (zero)?

Unfortunately, 0 is the only number that cannot be represented as a Roman numeral. But in the place of 0, some of the Roman Scholars dating centuries back used the term called ‘nulla’. The meaning of Nulla is None in Latin.

5. Are there any Occurrences in History that Used Roman Numerals Conversion?

Yes. There are many occurrences in the history of observing Roman numerals, out of which the Summer and Winter Olympics and the Super Bowl ANnual Football championship are the notable ones.