A numeral system originating in ancient Rome. Throughout the centuries, there has been variation in some of its symbols - specification, the substractive notation (which uses, e.g. IV to denote 4 instead of IIII) has only entered universal use in modern times. For example, Forme of Cury, a manuscript from 1390, uses IX for 9, but IIII for 4. Another document in the same manuscript, from 1381, uses IV and IX. A third document in the same manuscript uses IIII, IV, and IX.
Some rules regarding Roman numerals state that a symbol representing 10^x may not precede any symbol larger than 10^(x + 1); use XCIX not IC for 99.
The "modern" Roman numerals, post-Victorian era, are shown below:
| Roman | Arabic | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| I | 1 | |
| II | 2 | |
| III | 3 | |
| IV | 4 | IIII is still used on clock faces |
| V | 5 | |
| VI | 6 | |
| VII | 7 | |
| VIII | 8 | |
| IX | 9 | |
| X | 10 | |
| XI | 11 | |
| XIV | 14 | |
| XV | 15 | |
| XIX | 19 | |
| XX | 20 | |
| XXX | 30 | |
| XL | 40 | |
| L | 50 | |
| LX | 60 | |
| XC | 90 | |
| C | 100 | This is the origin of using the slang term "C-bill" for "$100 bill". |
| CC | 200 | |
| CD | 400 | |
| D | 500 | |
| CM | 900 | |
| M | 1000 | |
| ↀ | 1000 | conjoined C and D, alternative to M |
| MCMXLV | 1945 | |
| MIM | 1999 | Note: this may not be correct, as some claim that 'I' can only precede 'V' or 'X'. The rumor that Nintendo would release a sequel to the Mario Is Missing game in the year 1999 turned out to be false. |
| MCMXCIX | 1999 | More "correct" |
| ↁ | 5000 | |
| ↂ | 10000 | |
| Ↄ | Reversed 100 | Used in combination with C and I to form large numbers |
See also: Arabic numerals, Chinese numerals, Hebrew numerals, Mayan numerals, Number system
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