What are Roman numerals?

The Ancient Romans were from Rome (Italy). They used Roman numerals as their numbering system. You can see them on clocks, after king’s names (King Henry VIII), and other places.

The Romans used capital letters for their numbers. Roman numbers are called numerals

If you can remember the Roman numerals for 1, 5 and 10, then you will know all the numerals up to 10.

  • I = 1
  • V = 5 
  • X = 10

 

Take a look at numbers 1 - 10 in Roman numerals.

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There are 2 important rules to know:

1. If you put a letter after a larger one it means you add it. Here is an example:

VI = 6

This means 5 (V) + 1 (I) = 6

5 + 1 = 6

 

2. If you put a letter before a larger one it means you take it away. Here is an example:

IX = 9

This means you take 1 (I) away from 10 (X) 

10 − 1 = 9