Last updated on May 26th, 2025
Roman numerals are a way of expressing numbers using symbols. I, V, X, L, C, D, and M are the symbols we use. Roman Numerals are used in royal titles, book names, sequences, and so on. Here we will be discussing Roman Numerals, rules, and examples.
The royal titles, such as Henry I, Henry II, and so on. Have you noticed the names and wondered what these symbols (I and II) represented?
Those are the Roman Numerals. Earlier people used to count using fingers, sticks, bones, etc. to count. When life became complex, a standard form was required to count. Ancient Romans used the Roman Numeral system to count. I (1), V (5), X (10), L (50), C (100), D (500), and M (1000) are the symbols we use to count.
In Roman Numerals, we use XV with a vinculum (a line over the numerals), to represent 15000, where X is 10000 and V is 5000. Let’s learn more about Roman numerals and how we write them.
There are certain basic rules to write a number in Roman Numerals. In this section, let’s discuss some basic rules that need to be remembered when writing a number in Roman numerals.
The addition method is used when the smaller number is placed after the larger number. For example, VI → V + I → 5 + 1 = 6
To write a large number, there are certain Roman Numerals that can be repeated up to three times. III → 3.
If a small number is followed by a large number in Roman Numerals, we subtract the smaller number from the large number, it is a subtraction method. For example, IX → X - I → 10 - 1 = 9
For numbers larger than 3999, a bar or vinculum is placed over a numeral to multiply its value by 1000. For example, \(\overline{X}\) is 10000.
Let’s now learn how to write 15000 in Roman Numerals. Follow these methods to write the number in Roman Numerals.
In the expansion method, based on the place value, the number is broken down. In this section, we will learn how to write 15000 in Roman numerals using the expansion method. To write 15000 in Roman Numerals, follow the steps:
Step 1: Break the number based on the place value. Place values are ones, tens, hundreds, etc. For 15000, we write it as 10000 + 5000
Step 2: Converting the number into Roman Numerals 10000 in Roman Numerals — \(\overline{X}\) 5000 in Roman Numerals — \(\overline{V}\)
Step 3: Combining the Roman Numerals together. Therefore, 15000 in Roman Numerals is \(\overline{X}\) (10000) + \(\overline{V}\) (5000) = \(\overline{XV}\)
When writing a large number into Roman Numerals, we group the number.
To write 15000 in Roman Numerals, we group 15000 as 10000 + 5000.
10000 in Roman Numerals — \(\overline{X}\)
5000 in Roman Numerals — \(\overline{V}\)
So, 15000 is written as \(\overline{XV}\) in Roman Numerals.
Students make mistakes when writing a number in Roman Numerals. To master Roman Numerals, we can learn a few common mistakes and the ways to avoid them.
A historian discovers a manuscript indicating a treasure was hidden in the year XV millennia ago from the current year. What year was the treasure hidden in?
The treasure was hidden in the year 13000 AD.
XV millennia is 15000 years. If we subtract 15000 from the current year (assuming the current year is 2023), we get 2023 - 15000 = -12977.
This indicates the year 13000 BC, or 13000 years ago, the treasure was supposedly hidden.
A museum received a donation of XV paintings, each valued at M dollars. What is the total value of the donation?
The total value of the donation is XV million dollars.
There are XV (15) paintings, and each is valued at M (1000) dollars. Therefore, the total value is 15 × 1000 = 15000.
In Roman numerals, 15000 is written as XV with a line over it, representing 15000.
A marathon was held to raise funds, and each participant pledged to run XV kilometers. If there were M participants, how many kilometers were pledged in total?
The total kilometers pledged were XV thousand kilometers.
Each participant ran XV (15) kilometers, with M (1000) participants in total. Therefore, the total distance pledged is 15 × 1000 = 15000 kilometers.
In Roman numerals, this is written as XV with a line over it, representing 15000.
A researcher is studying ancient Roman architecture and finds a blueprint showing a building to be constructed with an area of XV square meters per floor. If the building has X floors, what is the total area?
The total area is CL square meters.
Each floor has an area of XV (15) square meters, and there are X (10) floors.
Therefore, the total area is 15 × 10 = 150 square meters.
In Roman numerals, 150 is written as CL.
A charity distributes XV thousand meals each month. If they continue at this rate, how many meals will they distribute in a year?
They will distribute CLXXX thousand meals in a year.
Each month, XV (15) thousand meals are distributed.
In a year (12 months), the total distribution is 15 × 12 = 180 thousand meals.
In Roman numerals, 180 is CLXXX, so the total is CLXXX thousand meals.
Hiralee Lalitkumar Makwana has almost two years of teaching experience. She is a number ninja as she loves numbers. Her interest in numbers can be seen in the way she cracks math puzzles and hidden patterns.
: She loves to read number jokes and games.