Roman Numerals

1 They modified the Etruscan numeral system and called it their own

2 They had a symbol for zero which was N

3 They never used the zero symbol because it wasn't needed

4 They can pride themselves that many mathematical terms are in Latin

5 They introduced weights and measures

6 They needed mathematics for navigational purposes

7 They needed mathematics for civil engineering purposes

8 They used the properties of gravity in their water viaducts

9 They gave names to distant planets and knew about astronomy

10 They introduced a 12 month year

11 They can claim that their numeracy system was most advanced at the time

12 They can claim that algebra was derived from Roman numerals

13 They introduced at the time a unified currency system

14 They needed only 1 prime number in their main 7 symbols

15 They had a secret system of numeracy that has never been decoded

16 They were military masters of geometrical formations in warfare

17 They once had a brilliant mathematician and Emperor whose name was Julius Caesar who gravely miscalculated the Ides of March

QED by David Gambell

Under the changed rules governing the Roman numeral system that were set out in the Middle Ages today we would convert the equivalent of 19, 49 and 199 into Roman numerals as XIX, XLIX, and CXCIX respectivelyhence inhibiting their ability towards conducive arithmetical interaction amongst themselves.

However, notwithstanding the aforementioned inasmuch that there is substancial historical evidenceto suggest that the ancient Romans would have added together the equivalent of 19, 49 and 199 in either of the following formats:-

IXX+IL = LXVIII => (20-1)+(50-1) = 68

LXVIII+ICC = CCLXVII => 68+(200-1) = 267

Alternatively:-

XVIIII+XXXXVIIII = LXVIII => 19+49 = 68

LXVIII+CLXXXXVIIII = CCLXVII => 68+199 = 267

Values: C=100, L=50, X=10, V=5 and I=1

Accrued values: 5*I=V, 2*V=X, 5*X=L and 2*L=C

QED

They are as follows:-

Method one

XV+XVI = XXXI (15)+(16) = (31)

XXXI+XVII = XLVIII (31)+(17) = (58-10)

XLVIII+IIXX = LXVI (58-10)+(20-2) = (66)

Method two

XV+XVI = XXXI (15)+(16) = (31)

XXXI+XVII = XXXXVIII (31)+(17) = (48)

XXXXVIII+XVIII = LXVI (48)+(18) = (66)

Note that for more complicated calculations the Romans would have made use of an abacus counting mechanism which today is equivalent to a calculator.

QED

With great difficulty because the way we write out Roman numerals today differs in many ways in the way that the Romans actually did themselves inasmuch that in accordance with today's rules governing the Roman numeral system we would convert 1499, 178 and 99 into Roman numerals as MCDXCIX, CLXXVIII and XCIX respectively which makes it almost impossible to add them together in some sort of a satisfactory mathematical manner.

Yet there is evidence to suggest that the Romans would have calculated the equivalent of these numbers in either of the following simple and straightforward formats:-

IMD+CLXXVIII= MDCLXXVII (1500-1)+(178) = (1677)

MDCLXXVII+IC = MDCCLXXVI (1677)+(100-1) = (1776)

Alternatively:-

MCCCCLXXXXVIIII+CLXXVIII = MDCLXXVII (1499)+(178) = (1677)

MDCLXXVII+LXXXXVIIII = MDCCLXXVI (1677)+(99) = (1776)

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

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

The concept of Roman numerals had nothing to do with the Romans because this numeracy system was first conceived by the Etruscans who once ruled the Romans.

QED

Presumably, in order to make Roman numerals more compatible with Hindu-Arabic numerals that were being introduced into Western Europe in the Middle Ages we now consider the equivalent of 999 expressed in Roman numerals as CMXCIX but back in the time of the ancient Roman Empire its equivalent was probably worked out on an abacus counting frame as DCCCCLXXXXVIIII and expressed in written format as IM thus facilitating the speed and ease of the required calculations as follows:-

MDCCLXXVI+IM = MMDCCLXXV => 1776+(1000-1) = 2775

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

Note that in mathematics -(1000-1) becomes -1000+1 and that if we were to use the longer version of 999 the results would be exactly the same in both calculations.

QED

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