Saint Paul’s School, Rajkot

Chapter: 02 - Roman Numbers

Subject: Mathematics
Std. IV Div. ____ Name: _____________________________Roll No. : _____ Date : ____________

ROMAN NUMBERS

In history, you hear about the Roman civilization that existed long before the Hind-Arabic
numerals came into existence. Roman numerals are not used in mathematical calculations, yet
we see them in watches, clocks, etc.

The most commonly used method of writing numbers is Hindu – Arabic number system. In this
system we use ten different symbols for writing numbers. These symbols are 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,
8 and 9. We call them digits.

The Roman Number system was used by the Romans. The Roman numerals are written with
straight lines. The Roman numerals corresponding to Hindu – Arabic numerals 1 to 10 are I, II,
III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X respectively.

Though Roman numerals are not commonly used for computation, they are still used in
clocks, numbering chapters in books, marking class numbers in school etc.

● There is no zero in the Roman system. An important difference between the Hindu – Arabic
system and the Roman system is that Roman system does not use place value. • For writing
Roman numerals, seven letters of the alphabet are used as basic symbols. These were used
to write all numbers.
● These symbols and their values in the Hindu – Arabic system are as follows:

ROMAN NUMERALS I V X L

HINDU-ARABIC NUMERALS 1 5 10 50

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Following rules are used to write Roman numerals:

1. The numerals I and X can be repeated a maximum of three times only, to represent
numbers. The numerals V and L are never repeated.

Example 1: The numeral I is used for writing I, II and III. We cannot repeat I more than three
times.

a) II = I + I = 2
b) III = I + I + I = 3

This also means that when a symbol is repeated, it means ‘ to add’ to get the value of the
numeral:

2. When a smaller numeral is written before a greater numeral , the value of the smaller
number is subtracted from the value of the greater numeral.

Example 2:
a) IV = (5 – 1) = 4
b) IX = (10 – 1) = 9
c) XL = (50 – 10) = 40

3. When a smaller numeral is written after a greater numeral, we add both of them.

Example 3:

a) VII = V + I + I = 5 + 1 + 1 = 7

b) XI = X + I = 10 + 1 = 11

4. If symbols are combined, the value of a symbol of smaller value in the middle of two
symbols of greater values is subtracted from the value of the symbol on its right.

Example 4:

a) XIV = 10 + (5 – 1 ) = 14

b) XXXIX = 10 + 10 + 10 + (10 – 1 ) 39

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Remember

● There is no Roman symbol to represent the digit 0.

● A symbol can be repeated up to a maximum of three times only.
● The symbol V and L never repeated.
● The symbol of smaller value can be written to the left of the symbol of greater value only
once.
CONVERTING FROM HINDU –ARABIC TO ROMAN NUMERALS
Example 1: Let us convert 27 into a Roman numeral.

Step 1: Write the numeral in the expanded form

27 = 20 + 7 = 10 + 10 + 5 + 1 + 1

Step 2: Write the corresponding symbols from Roman Number system = X + X + V + I + I = XXVII
Therefore, 27 = XXVII
Example 2: Let us convert 32 into a Roman numeral.

Step 1: Write the numeral in the expanded form

32= 30 + 2= 10 + 10 + 10 + 1 + 1

Step 2: Write the corresponding symbols from Roman Number system = X + X + X+ I + I = XXXII
Therefore, 32 = XXXII
ROMAN NUMERALS UP TO 50

The table shows numerals up to 50 in the Hindu – Arabic and Roman number systems:

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 LIFE SKILLS INTEGRATION
Meera is XI years old and Maria is IV years older than Meera. Jassi is III years younger than
Meera. Now answer the following:
a) Who is the oldest one? ________________________________________________________
b) Which among them is the youngest? _____________________________________________

EXERCISE 2.1
1. Convert the following into Roman numerals:
a. 7 = ____________________ b. 17 = ___________________ c. 36 = ___________________
d. 18 = ___________________ e. 28 = ___________________ f. 49 = ___________________
Q2. Convert the following into Hindu-Arabic numerals:
a. XIV = __________________ b. XI = ___________________ c. XVII = __________________
d. XXXIX = ________________ e. XLV = __________________ f. LXXVII = ________________
Q3. Fill in the boxes using >, <. = :
a. L ________50 b. XLV_______86 c. XXXIX _____79 d. XXIV______XV e. XVII ______XIX
Q4. Match the numerals of two columns which indicate the same number:
A B
1) 29 a) XIII
2) 11 b) IV
3) 23 c) XXIX
4) 18 d) XI
5) 4 e) XXIII
Q.5 Arrange the Roman numbers in ascending order:
a. VVIII XVIII XXIX XXVIII = ____________________________________________________

b. XXXIV XLVI XXXVI XLIV = ____________________________________________________

Q.6 Arrange the Roman numbers in descending order:
a. VVIII XLVI XXII XXXVI = ____________________________________________________

b.XVIII XXXIV XLVI XXIX = ____________________________________________________

Q.7 Add or Subtract :
a) XIV + XX b) XXI + XL c) XIX + VIII d) XXXV – XXIV e) XVII – XIV f) L – XXIX
Q.8 Answer the following:
a. Which symbol in Roman system can never be repeated? ______________________________
b. Write the Roman numeral for 31. _________________________________________________
c. Which is greater : XXII or XII ? ____________________________________________________
d. At most, how many times can a symbol be repeated in Roman system?___________________

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