Roman numerals have been used since historical times; interestingly, they are still used today. When you look for an XL-size shirt, it’s the Roman number you are searching for!
Though it looks complex, there are well-defined systems and rules for expressing a number in Roman numerals, which is fascinating.
A numeral that might puzzle you at first glance is XXXVI, a Roman number. What does it mean? This blog will clarify your queries about Roman numerals and explain interesting ways to calculate the equivalent XXXVI Roman numeral.
A Roman number is the representation of a number using some specific letters taken from the Latin alphabet. This numeral system uses the alphabets I, V, X, L, C, D, and M in different arrangements and patterns as per some predefined rules to denote different numbers.
Let’s know what numerical values each of these alphabets represents:
I = 1
V = 5
X = 10
L = 50
C = 100
D = 500
M = 1000
Read More: Is 47 a Prime Number?
Roman letters or symbols are used in different combinations to represent different numbers. The system places the Roman symbols in a particular order and uses addition or subtraction rules to arrive at the number.
For example, when a smaller numeral is placed before a larger one, it indicates subtraction. Again, you must add the digits to get the number when a smaller value numeral is placed after a larger value symbol.
The table below demonstrates how Roman numerals are written to represent different numbers in the decimal number system.
Roman Numbers to Decimal Numbers |
||
Roman Numerals |
Calculation |
Number in Decimal System |
I |
1 |
1 |
II |
1 + 1 |
2 |
III |
1 + 1 + 1 |
3 |
IV |
5 -1 |
4 |
V |
5 |
5 |
VI |
5 + 1 |
6 |
VII |
5 + 2 |
7 |
VIII |
5 + 3 |
8 |
IX |
10 -1 |
9 |
X |
10 |
10 |
XI |
10 + 1 |
11 |
XII |
10 + 2 |
12 |
XIII |
10 + 3 |
13 |
XIV |
10 + 4 |
14 |
XV |
10 + 5 |
15 |
The Roman numeral XXXVI stands for a specific number. To understand it, we break it down into parts and add up their values.
The numeral XXXVI is made up of the following Roman symbols:
X repeated 3 times
V
I
Each symbol represents a value:
X = 10
V = 5
I = 1
Now, add them together: 10 + 10 + 10 + 5 + 1 = 36
A simpler and quicker way to determine what Roman numerals mean is to check the Roman symbols from left to right. In the case of XXXVI roman numerals, since there are three Xs, you calculate it as 3 x 10 =30.
Next, we find there is the symbol VI after that. We know that VI = 6.
So, the value of XXXVI in numbers is 30 + 6 = 36
Read More: Find the Sum - Definition, Formulas and Examples
As mentioned below, there are certain rules to follow when you represent a number using the Roman alphabet.
A symbol can be used a maximum of up to three consecutive times, and you can add the values of the symbols as many times as it is repeated. For example, III = 3, XXX = 30, CC =200
The exception to the above rule is that the symbols V, L, and D are never repeated.
Placing a Roman digit of a smaller value after a symbol of greater value means you must add the values. For Example, V + III = 5 + 3 = 8
Placing a symbol of a lower value before a digit having a higher value indicates that the values must be subtracted. For Example: IV = V – I = 5 – 1 = 4.
The symbols V, L, and D are special because they have never been used as a greater value symbol, meaning no subtraction happens.
Only the symbol I is placed before the higher values alphabet V and X and the symbol X is placed before symbols L, M, and C.
Roman numerals may seem puzzling at first sight, but there is a systematic and logical way of interpreting these numbers. With the example of XXXVI Roman number, you can clearly understand how to determine a Roman numeral based on the rules provided.
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