Question 396281: how do u figure out how to do roman numerals
Answer by Flannery(124)   (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! There are seven of them to remember.
1=I
5=V
10=X
50=L
100=C
500=D
1000=M
Use as few symbols as possible to build each number.
Example:
I,II,III,IV,V (1,2,3,4,5)
Once you get to 4, you write IV meaning V take away I. You do this instead of writing IIII to save space and avoid confusion. The same rule applies at 9, IX means 10 take away 1. Of course 6,7,8 are VI,VII,VIII, and their form means 5 plus 1, 2, and 3 respectivly.
Example:
X,XX,XXX,XL,L (10,20,30,40,50)
Again, start using the shorter script at 40. XL means 50 take away 10.
XX,XXI,XXII,XXIII,XXIV,XXV,XXVI,XXVII,XXVIII,XXIX are the twentys, again demonstrating the rules for making roman numerals.
Example:
C,CC,CCC,CD,D (100,200,300,400,500)
Symbols in roman numeration change to the "take away" form every time 4 and 9 come up.
My book calls it a "kind of" base five system.
My book shows no symbol for 5000 however.
Build hundreds like this:
534: DXXXIV (D for 500, XXX for 30, IV for 4)
Build thousands like this:
3564: MMMDXLIV (MMM for 3000, D for 500, XL for 40, IV for 4)
I hope that got you at least started.
Source: Stan Gibilisco's "Algebra Know-It-All"
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