number · Year 4 · Suggested learning sequence

Roman numerals

Roman numerals use letters: I = 1, V = 5, X = 10, L = 50, C = 100, D = 500, M = 1000. Usually the symbols go from largest to smallest and you add them: XXVII = 27. When a smaller symbol comes just before a larger one, take it away: IV = 4, IX = 9, XL = 40, XC = 90. To write a number, split it by place value and write each part.

Sample questions

What number is LXXV?

  1. I = 1, V = 5, X = 10, L = 50.
  2. The symbols go from largest to smallest, so add them: 50 + 10 + 10 + 5.
  3. LXXV = 75.

Answer: 75

What number is XXXVIII?

  1. I = 1, V = 5, X = 10, L = 50.
  2. The symbols go from largest to smallest, so add them: 10 + 10 + 10 + 5 + 1 + 1 + 1.
  3. XXXVIII = 38.

Answer: 38

What number is XVIII?

  1. I = 1, V = 5, X = 10, L = 50.
  2. The symbols go from largest to smallest, so add them: 10 + 5 + 1 + 1 + 1.
  3. XVIII = 18.

Answer: 18

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