Roman Numerals

Nowadays 999 when converted into Roman numerals is now considered to be CMXCIX which does not quite easily lend itself for the purpose of arithmetical operations but the ancient Romans would have probably worked out the given three calculations as follows:-

IM+DCCLXXVII = MDCCLXXVI => (1000-1)+777 = 1776

DCCCCLXXXXVIIII+DCCLXXVII = MDCCLXXVI => 999+777 = 1776

DCCCCLXXXXVIIII-DCCLXXVII = CCXXII => 999-777 = 222

QED

Step 1: Create your number system. You can do this by using symbols to represent numbers. For example, the Romans used what we refer to as "Roman Numerals." In their number system, I=1 II=2 III=3 IV=4 V=5, and more. So you could use like a smiley face for 1 or something, a frowny face for 2, and more.

Step 2: Figure out how multi-digit numbers will be written. You can't have a different symbol for every number! First of all, it's impossible, and second of all, no one can remember zillions of different symbols to represent numbers! The Romans wrote numbers like 52 as LII (L=50, II=2). I would recommend doing something like our number system, where there are 10 different numerals (0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9) and when they are in different spots in a multi-digit number, they equal a different value.

Step 3: Figure out how you're going to do different operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, etc.) I'm going to make this simple, use our numerical operation strategies. (the same way we add, subtract, multiply, divide, etc.)

Step 4: Explain!

Step 4.1: Start by making a chart or table to show what made-up numbers equal our numerals.

Step 4.2: Answer this question: How do you write multi-digit numbers in your number system?

Step 4.3: Answer this question: How do you do different operations with your number system?

The ancient Romans worshipped many gods and the greatest of these gods was Jupiter which in Latin was written out as IVPPITER and to denigrate his name into the image of IV for 4 was seen as an act of blasphemy.

So to be on the safe side the Romans wrote out IIII for 4 instead of IV and even today the superstition still lingers on because most clocks and watches bearing Roman numerals still prefer IIII rather than IV.

In fact there is a connection between IIII and IV because if we were to add I to IIII we get IIIII which adds up to V and in order to keep the balance correct we must subtract I from V which is IV in the same way that VIIII (9) is abrdged to IX (10-1) as can LXXXXVIIII (99) be abridged to IC (100-1)

QED by David Gambell

The advantages of the ancient Roman numeral system were and still are as follows:-

1 It needs less main numerals than the Hindu-Arabic numeral system

2 It doesn't need a zero symbol for operational purposes

3 It's easily capable of addition

4 It's easily capable of subtraction

5 It's easily capable of multiplication

6 It's easily capable of division

7 It can easily worked out on an abacus calculating device

8 It doesn't use decimals

9 It uses fractions but only to a limited extent

10 It can be in additional format as for example DC = 600

11 It can be in subtractional format as for example CD = 400

12 Its numerals and fractions are all rational numbers

13 Its numerals are easily recognised for positional place value purposes

14 It uses brackets for multiplication as for example (X) = 10,000

15 It uses exponents as for example (M)M = 1,000,000,000

16 It was the most advanced numeracy system in the ancient known world

17 It's still used today albeit misrepresented

18 It makes mathematical sense when represented properly

19 It needed only 5 symbols at one time because (I) = 1000 and I) = 500

20 It can sometimes be abridged thus using less numerals but of equal value

21 Its symbols follow a regular pattern of ... 5, 2, 5, 2, 5, 2 ...

22 Its 7 main symbols today are: I, V, X, L, C, D and M

23 It therefore follows that even today it still has many advantages

QED by David Gambell