Lesson: Reading and Writing Roman Numerals

Introduction

Roman numerals are a numeral system originating from ancient Rome, using combinations of letters from the Latin alphabet. In this lesson, we will learn how to read and write Roman numerals.

Roman Numerals Basics

The seven basic Roman numerals are:

• I = 1
• V = 5
• X = 10
• L = 50
• C = 100
• D = 500
• M = 1000

Writing Roman Numerals

To write a number in Roman numerals, follow these rules:

1. Combine letters: Add values of the letters together. For example, VI = 5 + 1 = 6.
2. Subtraction rule: If a smaller numeral is in front of a larger numeral, subtract it. For example, IV = 5 - 1 = 4.
3. Repetition rule: A numeral can be repeated up to three times. For example, III = 3, but 4 is written as IV, not IIII.

Example: Convert 2023 to Roman Numerals

1. Break down 2023:
   • 2000 = MM
   • 20 = XX
   • 3 = III
2. Combine them:
   • 2023 = MMXXIII

Thus, $2023$ in Roman numerals is $MMXXIII$.

Key Questions

• What are the basic Roman numerals?
• How do you convert a number like 58 into Roman numerals?
• What is the rule for subtracting numerals?

Conclusion

Understanding Roman numerals helps in reading clocks, book chapters, and historical dates. Practice converting numbers to reinforce your skills!