As Easy As 1, 2, 3!!!
History of Roman Numerals
Historians have the difficult task of researching an intriguing topic without there being much information to discover. Due to the fact that the Roman empire existed so long ago and that there was not proper documentation, the origins of Roman numerals are a bit obscured. The most accurate date for the creation of this number system is around 500 B.C. The Romans first created an intricate calendar to keep track of the years. From this, they took the subtractive principle used in their calendar system for the number system.
Why Learn Roman Numerals?
Roman Numerals Appearing Today
Roman numerals appear everywhere in society. More sophisticated watches sometimes have roman numerals on their faces as well as most grandfather clocks. One of the most famous clocks in the world, Big Ben in the Clock Tower, uses Roman numbers. History cannot be fully comprehended without understanding roman numerals. Wars, such as the first World War (World War I), are always written with Roman numerals. Western European monarchies all use Roman numerals at the end of their names (Louis XIV of France), signifying their order of ancestry.
History is not the only place where Roman numerals can be found. People still label current events using this number system. Olympic Games are distinguished using Roman Numerals, such as the 1996 event in Atlanta being called XXVI Olympic Games. Computer manufacturers, publishing companies, and commentaries are just a few examples of how an ancient numbering system is still applied in modern times.
Easier Than Arabic Numbers
Besides the Arabic numbers used in modern society, Roman numerals are still existent in today?s culture. This number system has stayed around due to it?s simplicity and unambiguous nature. Some people complain that symbols used in the Arabic numeral system can be misread, such as a 0 being thought of as a 6. The Romans used very distinct symbols when creating their number system.
The Roman numeral system has the distinct quality known as a subtractive principle. This attribute allows people to easily learn the technique needed to calculate Roman numerals. We can relate to this theory by thinking of how some people tell time. Sometimes people will say ?quarter til seven? or ?ten til one?. The subtractive principle will be discussed in greater detail later.
Forming Numbers
· The Roman numerals are the following:
I = 1
V = 5
X = 10
L = 50
C = 100
D = 500
M = 1000
· Here is how to form Roman numerals:
The number ?1? is represented by a single I in the Roman numeral system. The numbers 1-3 are formed by adding additional I in concession. For example, II = 2, III = 3. The number four, because potentially cumbersome to add on I?s indefinitely, the Romans began to use the I before the V (which is 5) to symbolize the number four: IV = 4. This is commonly referred to as the subtractive principle.
The Roman numeral system is formulated by adding the numbers in a left-right concession. When a particular number is before a larger number, this means that you must subtract the two numbers. ?V? by itself represents the number 5. By adding a I to it, or VI the number is now 6. What would 7 or 8 be??
If you said VII is 7 and VIII is 8 then you are correct.
Remembering how the Roman numeral for four is formed, the number nine is similar. By placing the I in front of the X, or IX, the number formed is nine.
The number 10 is written as X in the Roman numeral system. Again, by adding the ?I? the number is increased by one. Can you figure out the numbers for 11-13?
If you said XI = 11, XII = 12, and XIII = 13?you are correct.
Again, fourteen is a number like 4 and 9 in the Roman numeral system. It is formed by placing the XIV. The largest number is the first number, and the lower numbers follow. Fourteen is formed with a X for ten and a IV following it. XIV = 14.
By following the rules discussed above forming other Roman Numerals is simple. Try and see if you can figure out the rest of the number system through 100. Good luck. You can check your answers on the Roman Numeral Chart.
Roman Numeral Chart
I = 1
II = 2
III = 3
IV = 4
V = 5
VI = 6
VII = 7
VIII= 8
IX = 9
X = 10
XI = 11
XII = 12
XIII = 13
XIV = 14
XV = 15
XVI = 16
XVII = 17
XVIII= 18
XIX = 19
XX = 20
XXX = 30 CC = 200 M = 1000
XL = 40 CCC= 300 MM = 2000
L = 50 CD = 400 MMM=3000
LX = 60 D = 500
LXX = 70 DC = 600
LXXX=80 DCC = 700
XC = 90 DCCC=800
C = 100 CM = 900
***to make it easier, a bar was implemented to equal 1000. For example:
__ __ __ __ __
MV = 4000 V = 5000 VI = 6000 VII = 7000 VIII = 8000
__ __ __ __ __
VIX = 9000 X = 10000 XX = 20000 XXX = 30000 MV = 40000
__ __ __ __ __
L = 50000 LX = 60000 LXX = 70000 LXXX = 80000 XC = 90000
__ __ __ __ __
C = 100000 CC = 200000 CCC = 300000 CD = 400000 D = 500000
__ __ __ __
DC = 600000 DCC = 700000 DCCC = 800000 CM = 900000
ROMAN NUMBERAL SYSTEM QUIZ
***quiz yourself on the all of the knowledge that
you have now gained***
Part I. ? Forming Roman Numerals
1. What is the number ?4? in Roman numerals?
2. What is the principle that refers to the formation of the number ?4??
3. What is XIV in Arabic terms?
4. What is used to symbolize 1000 in Roman numerals?
5. How many different letters are represented in the Roman Numeral System?
6. Name two places where Roman numerals might be used instead of Arabic numbers?
7. Do Roman numbers have a symbol for zero?
8. Around when were Roman numerals created?
Part II. ? Form Roman Numerals from the following numbers:
1. 67
2. 34
3. 59
4. 129
5. 2302
Answers to Part I.
1. IV
2. subtractive principle
3. 14
4. a bar
5. 7
6. see www.wilkiecollins.demon.co.uk/roman.intro.htm under ?Use of Roman numerals?
7. No.
8. Around 500 B.C.
Answers to Part II.
1. LXVII
2. XXXIV
3. LIX
4. CXXXIX
5. MMCCCII
Methods to Use in Learning Roman Numerals
Roman numerals are easy enough for second graders to learn. Once a student is proficient in subtraction, he/she can figure out Roman numerals, a skill needed in everyday life. For beginners, teachers can create a large watch out of construction paper with the first twelve numbers in Roman numerals instead of Arabic. This poster should be displayed in a common area so that students can relate the Arabic numbers on a clock to Roman numerals. Another method of exposing young students to Roman numerals would be using a real clock, immersing students immediately. After discussing the techniques for determining Roman numerals, teachers can also spend a portion of the math lesson using only Roman numerals for addition and subtraction problems. As students progress in their abilities, teachers can divide the class into teams and play a competitive game pitting the teams against each other and asking them to figure out large Roman numerals. Once the student possesses the basic skills, Roman numerals will come naturally.
Roman Numerals 101
Roman Numerals and Dates
Lesson Plan Roman Numerals
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