roman numerals

Roman Numerals

The number system of Ancient Rome. Uses combinations of Latin alphabet letters to show value.

Numbers are formed by combining symbols together and adding the values. For example, MMVI is 1000 + 1000 + 5 + 1 = 2006. Generally, symbols are placed in order of value, starting with the largest values. When smaller values precede larger values, the smaller values are subtracted from the larger values, and the result is added to the total. For example MCMXLIV = 1000 + (1000 − 100) + (50 − 10) + (5 − 1) = 1944.

Roman numerals still used after the decline of the Roman Empire In the 14th Century, people gradually started using the simpler Arabic numerals.