Roman numerals

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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
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"
5000
10000
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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