Beyond XXV and XXVIII: Learning About Other Roman Numbers

Originally developed in ancient Rome around 900–800 B.C., Roman numerals are still used today in clocks, book chapters, movie titles, royal names, and events like the Olympic Games or Super Bowl. Although they are not used for everyday calculations, Roman numerals remain a key part of historical and cultural traditions.

Overview

Roman numerals are a system of numbers that use letters from the Latin alphabet to represent values. The main Roman numerals are I, V, X, L, C, D, and M, which stand for 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, and 1,000 in the Hindu-Arabic number system. These symbols date back to between 900 and 800 B.C. In this system, when a letter of smaller or equal value comes after a larger one, the values are added. But when a smaller value appears before a larger one, it is subtracted. For example, IV represents 4 (5 - 1), XC represents 90 (100 - 10), and CD stands for 400 (500 - 100).

Roman numerals usually allow only three of the same symbols in a row, such as III for 3 or XXX for 30. Exceptions exist, especially on some clocks that display 4 as IIII instead of IV, and sometimes the number 4,000 is written as MMMM. If a bar (called a vinculum) is placed over a numeral, its value is multiplied by 1,000—for instance, a barred V equals 5,000.

The Roman numeral system was also inspired by gestures and hand symbols. A single line (I) represented one finger, while V symbolized five fingers—the shape made by the thumb and forefinger. Two hands crossed formed an X, meaning ten. Larger numerals developed from older symbols. For example, M for 1,000 came from a symbol written as CIƆ, which resembles the modern letter M, and possibly from the Greek letter phi (ф). Coincidentally, "mille" is the Latin word for a thousand. The symbol D for 500 came from IƆ, which is half of CIƆ. The letter C for 100 originated from the Greek letter theta (Θ) and also aligns with the Latin word "centum," meaning hundred. Finally, L for 50 was developed from a combination of V and I or from the Greek letter psi (Ψ), and over time it evolved to resemble the letter L.

Rules for Roman Numerals

Here’s a simplified version of the Roman numeral rules in easy-to-understand language :
Rule 1: You can only repeat a Roman numeral up to three times in a row.
Example: III = 3, but IIII is not allowed.

Rule 2: The letters L (50), V (5) and D (500) are never repeated.

Rule 3: If the same numeral is repeated just add their values together.
Example: XX = 10 + 10 = 20

Rule 4: There is no Roman numeral for zero (0).

Rule 5: If a smaller numeral is written after a bigger one, you add the smaller number.
Example: VI = 5 + 1 = 6

Rule 6: If a smaller numeral comes before a bigger one, you subtract the smaller from the larger.
Example: IV = 5 - 1 = 4

History Examples

Even after the Roman Empire ended, Roman numerals continued to be used especially by the Christian Church, which once was targeted by the Romans themselves. These numerals became part of many important fields and are still used today.

Roman numerals are used in astronomy to name moons and in chemistry to group elements on the periodic table. They help organize content clearly, like in book chapters, tables of contents, and outlines. In music theory, Roman numerals are also used to label chords and notes.

Over time, Roman numerals have stayed relevant in modern math, science, and writing. You can still find them in many places such as:

• Clocks and watches
• Book chapters and numbered lists
• Kings, queens, and popes with the same name (like Louis XVI or Pope Benedict XVI)
• Film release years (shown in Rom86u9an numerals in movie credits)
• Sporting events like the Olympics and the Super Bowl (e.g., Super Bowl XXV)
• Even in online casinos and branding, Roman numerals are used to give a classic or elegant look.

Uses

Roman numerals are old, but they are still used in many places today. Here are some common uses :

Clocks and Watches

Many traditional clocks and watches show the hours using Roman numerals (I to XII).

Book Chapters and Outlines

Roman numerals are used to number chapters, sections, or points in books and outlines.

Kings, Queens and Popes

They help tell apart rulers and popes with the same name.
Example: King Louis XVI (16), Pope John Paul II (2)

Movies and Events

Movie sequels often use Roman numerals (e.g., Rocky II).
Big sports events like the Super Bowl or Olympics use them to show the number of editions.

Music Theory

• Roman numerals are used to show chords and scales in music lessons and sheet music.
• Science and MathIn subjects like chemistry, astronomy, and math, Roman numerals are used to label groups or identify objects.

Monuments and Buildings

Dates on buildings, statues, or cornerstones are sometimes written in Roman numerals.

Casinos and Branding

Roman numerals are sometimes used in online casinos or logos to give a classy or timeless feel.

Conclusion

Roman numerals are an ancient number system that is still used today in many areas like clocks, books, movies, and important events. Although they work differently from the numbers we use daily, understanding their rules helps us read and write these numbers easily. Roman numerals connect us to history and continue to add a classic touch to modern life.