Roman numerals are a series of digits, written in letters that were used by the Romans in their time to carry out different transactions in addition to announcing dates, times, among many other activities in which numbers were used.
It was developed in the Roman Empire, and according to some documents and transcripts of the time, the Romans took them from the Etruscan forces in order to have within their level or status of life an easy way to do their mercantile transactions.
To do this, they formed various unions between the symbols and letters, giving a representation that we know today, identifying that it is the Roman numerals that you have seen since primary school, beginning to be seen from that stage and up to the university.
They are represented by seven capital letters which have a numeral or numerical value, which depending on the position it is placed will give it value by adding or subtracting according to what you want to represent, remember this because you will see the Roman numerals all your life.
Even if you don’t think so, Roman numerals can be used today, therefore its importance when it comes to having a basic knowledge of them, so do not be left behind in history and recognize that you must learn them specifically for your daily use.
What do you need:
- Letters.
- Numbers.
- Learn.
- Get acquainted.
- Write.
- Read quantities.
- Find information.
- Accessories.
Instructions
Roman numerals are considered the first way to describe or count with letters made by an empire to favor its hegemony over other peoples, maintaining its way of doing business as the only way to achieve different types of purchase and sale transactions.
At present, the Roman numerals are still used, especially to name the centuries that have passed, so this specific numeral is not in disuse, therefore it is studied from the second half of primary schools on a mandatory basis.
Although it is a rule to study Roman numerals, many people are not familiar with the specific number of numbers or what each letter means, so here we tell you how you should do it in addition to the exact numbering of each letter.
Learn about Roman numerals step by step
- Despite the fact that it is the norm to study at school, the Roman numerals are not as used as the natural ones, which are used to count, make calculations, being in addition to all this integers and easy to point, see, name as well as learn.
- Roman numerals are usually used to name the centuries that have passed and the current one, where people conduct themselves on a daily basis, as well as other presentations such as the numbering of watches, books, among many other things of today’s life.
- Roman numerals also have their little curiosities, which throughout history have been discovered by great scholars and thinkers, and the most important thing to keep in mind is that they are read and written from left to right.
- This particularity differentiates the Roman numerals from cultures that also had their numerology apart, leaving a mark in time and giving the possibility of learning it for each of us, providing the information so that you understand the mystery of each culture.
- Roman numerals are formed with letters, each of which has a value, so that when joining them they can be found with a number from the smallest to the highest that you want, so it is important to take the following into consideration:
- I is 1; V is 5; X is 10; L is 50; C is 100; D is 500; m is 1000
- Each letter has a value as observed in the previous point, and when you want to form a high number you must join with each other to be able to do so and thus obtain the number you want, just joining the letters together, such as:
- 1301 = MCCCI
- In Roman numerals, if you want to represent a high number, that exceeds thousands, it is enough to place a line horizontally on top of the number you want to represent, for example if you want to place 5000, you will have:
- 5000 = /V the bar goes above the letter.
- The particularity of the Roman numerals is that you cannot place a letter M in a row to represent high numerologies, so it is necessary to place that line above each number that you want to represent, so you have to be aware when you see that line.
- Keep in mind that we are talking about thousands, but if you really want to represent the millions, the line that you have placed at the top or above the number will do it inversely, at the bottom of the number you want to represent.
- Each line you put under the number means that you will need to multiply that number to give you the exact amount you want to represent, so you may understand how you should use the lines to express large numbers.
- The numbers in the natural system are infinite, since whatever you think of has its graphic representation with the digits, likewise the Roman numerals have their symbolism, although we do not believe that you need to have so much knowledge because it is hardly used.
- Therefore, to know an infinite number in Roman, you have the possibility of using the lines both above and below the letter, that is, each line that you place above your number means that you must multiply it by a thousand, a hundred or 1 million.
- Learning Roman numerals is not that difficult, even if it is the basics, although you must manage to represent the letters according to the number you want. Have you noticed that at the end of a movie the year appears in Roman numerals? It is a good way to learn them.
- The first thing you should know or know is what the letters mean or what number they correspond to, so you can have an idea of how to join them to form high numerology, it is simple as well as entertaining so that it is not so difficult for you.
- With the knowledge of the meaning of the letters in numbers, you have the possibility of opening yourself the opportunity to obtain more quickly and easily the power to combine the numbers or Roman letters to form a specific amount.
- The important thing to take into account is the rule of addition and subtraction. What does this mean? If you see that the largest number is first, that is, on the left, and the smallest after, you have to add according to the number that is arranged. An example would be:
- VIII = V+ I+ I+ I+ = V = 5 and I = 1. Therefore 5 + 1+ 1+ 1 = 8
- Now, on the contrary, if you have a small number first, that is, to the left of the largest, subtract the amount that corresponds to the largest number that accompanies it. Is it difficult for you to understand? As you practice it, it will become easier for you. So:
- XC = X – C; X = 10 and C = 100. Therefore: 10 – 100 = 90
- The most important thing in these combinations is to be aware when you add and subtract and the numbers are complex if you see the difficult side of placing a series of letters that will take you a long time thinking about how to place them.
- Likewise, the order of placement is the same as the way of placing the normal number system from the one with the highest value to the one with the lowest value, according to the order and the number that is requested, from the million to the units.
- It’s easy, it just takes a little getting used to counting with Roman numerals, but the important thing is not to forget how to do it after you’ve learned it because you never know when you’re going to need this knowledge.
- On the other hand, there is a rule of repetition of letters in a row, among which it stands out that only the letters I, X, C and M are repeated, leaving the other three out of this, that is to say that the letters V, L and D are not repeated in a row. An example of this is found in :III; DC; mm
- The importance lies in giving meaning to the letters so that they can represent the numbers in an exact way to the natural ones even if it seems difficult, when beginning to practice the numeration, a better recognition of the rules of Roman numerals will be made.
- Do not see the knowledge of Roman numerals as something required at school, it is a preparation for the use of them at any time in your life, so take into account the possibility of learning them seriously with their rules.
Tips
- Remember that in earlier times the 4 was represented with letters followed by s, but that was left behind.
- The rules of Roman numerals can be changed over the years and you must be vigilant.
- As you learn the rules you must stick to what they require of you, so you must be attentive to everything that comes your way.
- Quickly learn the 7 letters and their representation in number with the power to count in Roman numerals, and thus you will not have problems to make any high number.
- Learn where to add and subtract so you can easily get Roman numerals.
- To make it easier for you, practice with the Roman numerals.
- Read books where you see the use of Roman numerals.