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Roman Numerals
Questions and answers related to the symbols used by the ancient Romans to represent numbers. These include the numerals: I, V, X, L, C, D and M.
14,167 Questions
Notwithstanding the fact that nowadays we would officially convert 1999 into Roman numerals as MCMXCIX inasmuch that the ancient Romans would have probably worked out the equivalent of 1999 as MDCCCCLXXXXVIIII which can be abridged to IMM thus making two possibilities of adding together the equivalent of these numbers as follows:-
A: IMM+MM+MMI = (VI) => (2000-1)+2000+2001 = 6000
B: MDCCCCLXXXXVIIII+MM+MMI = (VI) => 1999+2000+2001 = 6000
Note that the above calculations are fairly simple but for more advanced calculations the ancient Romans would have made use of an abacus calculating device and that (VI) is equivalent to 1000*6 = 6000 which is the same as MMMMMM
The rules now governing the Roman numeral system as we know them today had nothing to do with the Romans because they were introduced during the Middle ages but there exist credible evidence to show that the ancient Romans would have worked out all four calculations in the following formats:-
MDCCLXXVI+SXC = MDCCCLXVS => 1776+(100-10.5) = 1865.5
MDCCLXXVI+LXXXVIIIIS = MDCCCLXVS => 1776+89.5 = 1865.5
MDCCLXXVI-SXC = MDCLXXXVIS => 1776-(100-10.5) = 1686.5
MDCCLXXVI-LXXXVIIIIS = MDCLXXXVIS => 1776-89.5 = 1686.5
Note that in mathematics -(100-10.5) becomes 10.5-100 and that the above calculations were fairly simple and straightforward to work out but for more complicated calculations the Romans would have used an abacus calculating device.
QED
The way we notate Roman numerals today differs in many respects in which the Romans actually did themselves. For instance although we notate 1776 today correctly as MDCCLXXVI we would notate 444 as CDXLIV which makes it almost impossible for them to integrate with other numerals in some kind of plausible progressive mathematical manner.
But the Romans in reality would have worked out the equivalent of 444 as CCCCXXXXIIII which can be methodically reduced to IVLD yet retaining its original numerical value thus facilatating the speed and ease of addition as follows:-
MDCCLXXVI+IVLD = MMCCXX (1776)+(500-56) = (2220)
Note that if: -IVL+D = CCCCXXXXIIII
Then it follows that: D = CCCCXXXXIIII+LVI
Alternatively:-
MDCCLXXVI+CCCCXXXXIIII = MMCCXX (1776)+(444) = (2220)
Note that: 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
QED
How would you actually add together 19 199 and 1999 using Roman numerals in two different ways?
The rules appertaining to the correct usage of Roman numerals have waxed and waned over the past thousand years inasmuch that today we would convert 19, 199 and 1999 into Roman numerals as XIX, CXCIX and MCMXCIX respectively which makes addition operations with them quite difficult if not possible at all.
Furthermore the origins of the Roman numeral system had nothing to do with the Romans because the idea of this system of numeracy was first conceived by a mysterious tribe of people known as the Etruscans who once ruled the Romans and within the contraints of mathematical reasoning would have probably calculated the above numerals in either of the following formats:-
IXX+ICC = CCXVIII (20-1)+(200-1) = (218)
CCXVIII+IMM = MMCCXVII (218)+(2000-1) = (2217)
Alternatively:-
XVIIII+CLXXXXVIIII = CCXVII (19)+(199) = (218)
CCXVIII+MDCCCCLXXXXVIIII = MMCCXVII (218)+(1999) = (2217)
Note that: 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
QED
Today we would convert the Hindu-Arabic numerals of 444 into Roman numerals as CDXLIV which makes it quite difficult to carry out any kind of mathematical operations with them.
But in the past the Romans themselves would have calculated the equivalent of 444 as CCCCXXXXIIII which can be systematically reduced with applied logic to IVLD (500-56) thus enabling the speed and ease of subtraction to be carried out as follows:-
MDCCLXXVI-IVLD = MCCCXXXII (1776)-(-56+500) = (1332)
Alternatively by cancelling out the applicable numerals:-
MDCCLXXVI-CCCCXXXXIIII = MCCCXXXII (1776)-(444) = (1332)
Note that: 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
QED
Nowadays the equivalent of 9, 19 and 1999 converted into Roman numerals are officially IX, XIX and MCMXCIX respectively.
But back in ancient Rome the equivalent of 9, 19 and 1999 would have been calculated on an abacus counting device as follows:-
VIIII+XVIIII = XXVIII => 9+19 = 28
XXVIII+MDCCCCLXXXXVIIII = MMXXVII => 28+1999 = 2027
Alternatively in an abridged format:-
IX+IXX = XXVIII => (10-1)+(20-1) = 28
XXVIII+IMM = MMXXVII => 28+(2000-1) = 2027
QED by David Gambell
What are 26 facts and features relevant to the ancient Roman numeral system from A to Z?
1 Addition, subtraction, division and multiplication was once simple and easy
2 Brackets were once used to increase the value of numerals
3 C is the equivalent of 100
4 D is the equivalent of 500
5 Etruscans ruled the Romans and they first conceived this numeracy system
6 Fourteen was once XIIII or IXV but now it's XIV
7 Grand in slang means 1000 which is the equivalent of M
8 Hundred and ninety-nine was once ICC instead of CXCIX
9 I is the equivalent of 1
10 Jupiter god of the Romans was why they never wrote out 4 as IV
11 Known ways of expressing these numerals correctly can still be found today
12 L is the equivalent of 50
13 Middle Ages was when rules governing the original system were changed
14 Ninety-nine was once IC instead of XCIX
15 Octoginta means LXXX which is 80
16 Prime numbers are also found in Roman numerals
17 Quindecim is Latin for XV which is 15 in Hindu-Arabic numerals
18 Roman numerals are the numerical element of the Latin language
19 S is the equivalent of a half
20 Triginta means XXX which is 30
21 Undeviginti is Latin for IXX which is now XIX for 19
22 V is the equivalent of 5
23 Worldwide usage of the system still continues today
24 X is the equivalent of 10
25 Years are notated with them to disguise the dates of production of movies and TV programs
26 Zero wasn't needed because the positional place value of these numerals are self evident
QED by David Gambell
What is Hindu-Arabic numerals?
They are essentially precursors of the ten digits which we use today in everyday arithmetic.
What is the equivalent number to LXXVI?
LXXVI is called a roman numeral.
A method of writing numbers invented by the Romans.
Each letter has a value, L = 50, X = 10, V = 5, I = 1.
Add together the values to get the answer which is 76.
Because of the changes made to the rules governing the original Roman numeral system introduced during the Middle Ages nowadays we would convert 999 into Roman numerals as CMXCIX which makes them almost impossible to interact sensibly with othe numerals.
But there is evidence to suggest that the ancient Romans would have calculated the equivalent of 999 on an abacus counting board as DCCCCLXXXXVIIII and then systematically reduced them to IM in written format thus facilitating the speed and ease of addition as follows:-
DCLXVI+IM = MDCLXV => 666+(1000-1) = 1665
Alternatively:-
DCLXVI+DCCCCLXXXXVIIII = MDCLXV => 666+999 = 1665
Values: M=1000 D=500 C=100 L=50 X=10 V=5 and I=1
Note: 5*I=V 2*V=X 5*X=L 2*L=C 5*C=D and 2*D=M
QED by David Gambell
According to today's criteria 1999 converted into Roman numerals is considered to be MCMXCIX which makes it almost impossible for them to interact with other numerals in a logical mathematical progression.
But the Romans themselves would have actually worked out the equivalent of 1999 on an abacus counting device as MDCCCCLXXXXVIIII which can be contracted to IMM thus facilatating the speed and ease of addition as follows:-
IMM+MDCCLXXVI = MMMDCCLXXV (2000-1)+(1776) = 3775
Alternatively using an abacus counting board:-
MDCCCCLXXXXVIIII+MDCCLXXVI = MMMDCCLXXV (1999+1776 = 3775)
Subtraction:-
MDCCCCLXXXXVIIII-MDCCLXXVI = CCXXIII (1999-1776 = 223) by cancelling out the numerals
Remember that: 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
QED
What are the two methods of actually adding together 19 29 and 52 using only Roman numerals?
c
Additional Information:-
Under today's rules we would convert 19 and 29 into Roman numerals as XIX and XXIX which makes any form of interaction between other numerals quite difficult.
But there is evidence to suggest that the Romans themselves would have actually worked out the equivalent of 19 and 29 as XVIIII and XXVIIII then simplified them to IXX and IXXX which uses less numerals but of equal value thus making addition quicker and simpler as follows:-
IXX+IXXX = IIL (20-1)+(30-1) = (50-2)
IIL+LII = C (50-2)+52 = 100
Alternatively:-
XVIIII+XXVIIII = XXXXVIII (19+29 = 48)
XXXXVIII+LII = C (48+52 = 100)
Roman numerals: M=1000, D=500, C=100, L=50, X=10, V=5 and I=1
Remember that: 5*I=V, 2*V=X, 5*X=L, 2*L=C, 5*C=D and 2*D=M
Quod Erat Demonstrandum
What does lxxvill stand for in maths?
I guess you are referring to converting Roman Numerals to "normal" numbers:
LXXVIII = L + X + X + V + I + I + I
= 50 + 10 +10 + 5 + 1 + 1 + 1
= 78
How would you in concise detail subtract 1749 from 1999 using Latin numeracy?
mdccxlix minus mcx-with-line-on-topxcix
Improved Answer:-
Latin numeracy is the same as Roman numerals and the way in which we work them out today differs in the way that the Romans actually did themselves because of changes made to the real rules governing the Roman numeral system during the Middle Ages presumably to make it easier to convert Roman numerals into Hindu-Arabic numerals that were gradually being introduced into Western Europe at the time.
As a consequence of these changes today we would write out the equivalent of 1999 and 1749 as MCMXCIX and MDCCXLIX which makes any form of mathematical interaction between them almost impossible.
But there is evidence to suggest that the Romans would have calculated the equivalent of the Hindu-Arabic numerals of 1999 and 1749 on an abacus counting device as MDCCCCLXXXXVIIII and MDCCXXXXVIIII then probably simplified them to IMM and IMDCCL respectively which makes subtraction to be quite straightforward as follows:-
IMM-IMDCCL = CCL (2000-1)-(1750-1) = 250
Remember that in mathematics a double minus becomes a plus and that a minus multiplied by a minus also becomes a plus as does a minus divided by a minus.
Alternatively:-
MDCCCCLXXXXVIIII-MDCCXXXXVIIII = CCL (1999-1749 = 250) by cancelling out the numerals.
Latin numerals: M=1000, D=500, C=100, L=50, X=10, V=5 and I=1
QED
