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In today's notation of Roman numerals 999 is CMXCIX which makes it quite difficult to perform any mathematical operations with it.

But there is evidence that supports the fact that the Romans themselves would have calculated the equivalent of 999 on an abacus counting device as DCCCCLXXXXVIIII and then probably simplified it to IM in written form which would make addition and subtraction simple and straightforward as follows:-

Addition

IM+DCLXVI = MDCLXV (1000-1)+(666) = 1665

Subtraction

DCCCCLXXXXVIIII-DCLXVI = CCCXXXIII (999-666 = 333) by cancelling out the numerals

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

QED

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13y ago

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