How would you evaluate exactly 14 plus 299 plus 1699 using Roman numerals in step by step stages?

Answer 1

Today we would convert 14, 299 and 1699 into Roman numerals as XIV, CCXCIX and MDCXCIX which makes addition with them in some kind of logical progressive order quite difficult if not impossible.

But there are reasons to believe that the Romans themselves would have worked out the equivalent of 14, 299 and 1699 as XIIII, CCLXXXXVIIII and MDCLXXXXVIIII then simplified them to IXV, ICCC and IMDCC in written form respectively which makes addition simply straighforward as follows:-

IXV+ICCC = CCCXIII (15-1)+(300-1) = 313

CCCXIII+IMDCC = MMXII (313)+(1700-1) = 2012

Alternatively:-

XIIII+CCLXXXXVIIII = CCCXIII (14+299 = 313)

CCCXIII+MDCLXXXXVIIII = MMXII (313+1699 = 2012)

Roman numerals: I=1, V=5, X=10. L=50, C=100, D=500 and M=1000

Remember that: 5*I=V, 2*V=X, 5*X=L, 2*L=C, 5*C=D and 2*D=M

QED