Roman Numerals

Q. How can I figure out what a Roman numeral stands for?

A.:

Conversion Table

1

I

2

II

3

III

4

IV

5

V

6

VI

7

VII

8

VIII

9

IX

10

X

20

XX

30

XXX

40

XL

50

L

60

LX

70

LXX

80

LXXX

90

XC

100

C

500

D

1000

M

You add the numbers together if numbers of the same size are placed next to each other or if a smaller number is placed to the right of a larger number. For example:

  • II = 2
  • III = 3
  • VI = 6
  • VIII = 8
  • XX = 20
  • XXI = 21
  • CC = 200

You subtract the smaller number from the larger if a smaller number is placed to the left of a larger number. For example:

  • IV = 4
  • IX = 9
  • XL = 40
  • CD = 400
  • CM = 900

Sometimes you will perform both operations:

  • XIV = 14
  • XIX = 19

Author: Janet Carr

Fashion, beauty and animal loving language consultant from South Africa living in Stockholm, Sweden.

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