HESI Mathematics
Roman Numerals
Roman numerals is the ancient number system used in the Roman Empire. In select
situations, they are still used as an alternative to the modern numeral system. Roman
numerals are based on the idea of adding, and in special cases, subtracting, to
represent each number. The following table provides a list of the most commonly used
Roman numerals today and their meaning.
Roman Numeral Numerical Value
I 1
V 5
X 10
L 50
m
C 100
er as
D 500
co
eH w
M 1000
Roman numerals are written from left to right, greatest numeral to smallest. As you read
o.
them, add together the symbols for the numeric value.
rs e
ou urc
Example:
o
Erica is visiting Rome for vacation. She sees an old building with “MCCLIII” written on it.
What number is this?
aC s
vi y re
Looking at our reference chart, we see the first symbol, M, is 1000. CC is 100+100, L is
50, and III is 1+1+1. Adding this together shows that:
1000 + 100 + 100 + 50 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 1253 as the number on the building.
ed d
ar stu
There are a few special cases where instead of adding, we subtract to find the meaning
of the Roman numeral. These special cases occur when we want to avoid stringing four
instances of a symbol together (like IIII for 4 or VIIII for 9). Instead, we use one of the
is
symbols for a power of ten (I, X, C, M) and place it before a symbol with a greater
numeric value. An example of the first time this would occur is for the value of four. This
Th
is written as IV, or “5 minus 1.” The next time this occurs is for the number nine, IX, or
“10 minus 1.” Forty is denoted by XL, or “50 minus 10,” while ninety is XC, or “100
minus 10.”
sh
Example:
Jerome is in class and wants to toss a note inconspicuously to let his friend know which
anniversary of a big football game finale is coming up. He knows it’s going to be the
This study source was downloaded by 100000794939623 from CourseHero.com on 07-20-2021 10:39:19 GMT -05:00
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller notesportal. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $16.99. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
