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Coming from a long
time ago, from ancient Rome, the system developed remained a primary
system of numeration for many centuries, and after a slight
modification in the Middle Ages, continues to see some specialized
use today. The primary distinction between the Roman and Arabic
numerals we use today, is that Romans didn't have a symbol to
signify zero, and that numeral placement within a number can
sometimes indicate subtraction (IX=9) rather than addition (XI=11).
Roman numerals are most commonly used today in the numbering of
movie sequels (Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, Star Wars: Episode VI
- Return of the Jedi, The Godfather: Part II), the numbering of some
sporting events, such as the Olympic Games or the Super Bowls, the
order of rulers, popes or ships who share the same name (Pope John
Paul II, King George VI, Queen Elizabeth II), volumes or chapters in
a book, publishing industry copyright dates, production dates seen
at the end of motion picture credits, some historic events (World
War I, World War II), and clocks with Roman numeral clockfaces.
Roman numerals are usually written in uppercase letters (I, II,
III, X, and XXV). Occasionally Roman numerals are written using
lowercase letters (i, ii, iii, x, and xxv), particularly when
numbering paragraphs or sections within chapters, or for the
pagination of the front matter of some books.
Roman numbers use letters
instead of Arabic numbers 0-9
I or i = 1 (one)
V or v = 5 (five)
X or x = 10 (ten)
L or l = 50 (fifty)
C or c = 100 (one hundred) (centum)
D or d = 500 (five hundred)
M or m = 1,000 (one thousand) (mille)
When two or more of the above symbols are combined, the result can
be:
II or ii = 2 (two)
III or iii = 3 (three)
IV or iv = 4 (four) (sometimes written IIII on Roman numeral clocks
or iiii)
VI or vi = 6 (six)
VII or vii = 7 (seven)
VIII or viii = 8 (eight)
IX or ix = 9 (nine)
You see, numeral placement within a number sometimes indicates
subtraction rather than addition. So, if you place a smaller Roman
numeral in front of a larger one, you are indicating subtraction.
Placing X in front of C indicates subtraction of ten (X) from 100
(C). Thus, XC equals ninety (90).
Other examples:
IX = 9 (nine)
XIX = 19 (nineteen)
XL = 40 (forty)
CD = 400 (four hundred)
CM = 900 (nine hundred)
MCM = 1900 (nineteen hundred) |
