๐️ Roman Numerals – Reading & Writing (I to C)
Roman numerals are everywhere – on clocks, in book chapters, movie credits, and even on monuments! Let's unlock the secret of how the Romans wrote numbers using letters like I, V, X, L, and C. We'll learn the rules step by step, with plenty of examples and practice.
๐ In this post:
1. ๐ค The Seven Basic Symbols
The Romans used only seven letters to write any number. Here are the ones we need up to 100, plus a peek at larger ones.
For numbers beyond 100, we also use:
(We'll explore these in Section 6.)
2. ⚖️ The Two Golden Rules
Roman numerals follow just two main rules:
- VI = 5 + 1 = 6
- XV = 10 + 5 = 15
- LXXI = 50 + 10 + 10 + 1 = 71
- IV = 5 – 1 = 4
- IX = 10 – 1 = 9
- XL = 50 – 10 = 40
- XC = 100 – 10 = 90
3. ๐ค Tricky Pairs: IV vs VI (Subtraction vs Addition)
This is where students often get confused. Look closely at the position of I:
V (5) minus I (1) = 4
V (5) plus I (1) = 6
The same pattern applies to other pairs:
- IX = 9 (subtraction), XI = 11 (addition)
- XL = 40 (subtraction), LX = 60 (addition)
- XC = 90 (subtraction), CX = 110 (addition)
4. ๐ Complete Reference Table (1 to 100)
Click below to see a handy list of Roman numerals from 1 to 100 [citation:1][citation:10].
5. ๐งฑ Building Numbers Step by Step
To write any number as a Roman numeral, split it into place values (thousands, hundreds, tens, ones) and write each part separately [citation:1].
76 = 70 + 6 = LXX + VI = LXXVI
94 = 90 + 4 = XC + IV = XCIV
48 = 40 + 8 = XL + VIII = XLVIII
6. ๐ Going Further: D, M & Larger Numbers
Once you master 1–100, you can write any year using D (500) and M (1000). The same rules apply [citation:1][citation:3].
Examples:
- 400 = CD (500 – 100) [citation:5]
- 900 = CM (1000 – 100)
- 1984 = 1000 + 900 + 80 + 4 = M + CM + LXXX + IV = MCMLXXXIV [citation:1]
- 2024 = 2000 + 20 + 4 = MM + XX + IV = MMXXIV
1999 = 1000 + 900 + 90 + 9 = M + CM + XC + IX = MCMXCIX [citation:1]
7. ✅ More Solved Examples
L = 50, XX = 20, IX = 9 → 50 + 20 + 9 = 79
63 = 60 + 3 = LX + III = LXIII
XC = 90, VIII = 8 → 90 + 8 = 98
244 = 200 + 40 + 4 = CC + XL + IV = CCXLIV
8. ๐ Real-Life Word Problems
Actually, IIII is not the standard form – IV is correct. However, some clocks use IIII for visual balance with VIII on the other side [citation:1].
II means 2 – it's read as "the Second" [citation:1].
M = 1000, CM = 900, XC = 90, VII = 7 → 1000 + 900 + 90 + 7 = 1997 [citation:1]
48 (XL = 40, VIII = 8).
✏️ Practice Zone
Try all questions yourself first. Click the answer key only after you've finished.
๐ก Class 4 Level
- Q1. Write in Roman numerals: 7, 12, 15
- Q2. What number is: VIII, XIV, XXIX
- Q3. Which is correct for 4: IIII or IV?
- Q4. Write 39 in Roman numerals.
- Q5. Write 44 in Roman numerals.
- Q6. What number is LXIII?
- Q7. What number is XCVII?
- Q8. Write 58 in Roman numerals.
๐ต Class 5 Level
- Q9. Write 99 in Roman numerals.
- Q10. Write 148 in Roman numerals.
- Q11. What number is CDLXX?
- Q12. Write 2025 in Roman numerals.
- Q13. What year is MCMLXXXIX?
- Q14. Write 399 in Roman numerals.
- Q15. What number is DCCCXC?
- Q16. A book was published in MCMXLV. What year was that?
๐ข Match the Following
Q1. VII, XII, XV
Q2. 8, 14, 29
Q3. IV
Q4. XXXIX
Q5. XLIV
Q6. 63
Q7. 97
Q8. LVIII
Q9. XCIX
Q10. CXLVIII
Q11. 470
Q12. MMXXV
Q13. 1989
Q14. CCCXCIX
Q15. 890
Q16. 1945
Match: 1→B, 2→C, 3→A, 4→D
Reinforce Roman numerals with our 30‑question practice worksheet – includes reading, writing, word problems, and answer key.
๐ Go to Practice Worksheet
