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Mathematics, Numbers, and Computers - What Are Roman Numerals?

What are Roman numerals?

Roman numerals, developed by the ancient Romans, are symbols that stand for numbers. They are written using seven basic symbols: 1=1, V=5, X=10, L=50, C=100, D=500, and M=l,000. Historic evidence indicates that C is from the Latin word "centum," meaning "one hundred"; and M is from the Latin word "mille," meaning "one thousand." Sometimes a bar is placed over a numeral to indicate that it is 1,000 times greater. For example, 5,000 may be written as V.

Roman numerals are an additive system. This means that the numerals are written in a descending order from left to right and added together, to determine each digit.

Take the following example: MMCCCXXXII

2000 300 30 2

By adding these numbers, we come up with 2,332.

Roman numerals, however, may also be a subtractive system. This is the case when a smaller numeral is placed in front of a larger one. Then the smaller numeral is...

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