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Roman Numerals

Romans used letters for numbers: I=1, V=5, X=10, L=50, C=100, D=500, M=1000. IV means 4 and IX means 9.

๐Ÿ’ก Fun fact

Roman numerals are still used on some clocks and for movie years.

All about Roman Numerals

Roman numerals are letters that stand for numbers. The main ones are I = 1, V = 5, X = 10, L = 50, C = 100, D = 500 and M = 1,000. They were used across the Roman Empire and are still seen on clocks, book chapters and films.

Roman numerals are usually written from largest to smallest and added together, so VI = 6 and XV = 15. When a smaller value comes before a larger one, you subtract it, as in IV = 4 and IX = 9.

๐ŸŽฎ Try it yourself!

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Real-life uses of Roman Numerals

  • Reading the numbers on a clock face or a sundial
  • Numbering chapters in a book
  • Finding the year of a film, such as MMXXV

Frequently asked questions about Roman Numerals

How do you write 2024 in Roman numerals?

MMXXIV. M is 1,000, two M make 2,000, then XX is 20 and IV is 4.

Why is 4 written as IV and not IIII?

Clock makers sometimes used IIII, but the standard form is IV, where I before V means subtract one.

Is there a zero in Roman numerals?

No. The Romans did not have a symbol for zero.