Last updated on May 26th, 2025
To meet their daily commerce and administration needs, the ancient Romans developed Roman Numerals. It used a combination of seven symbols — I, V, X, L, C, D, and M to represent numbers. Roman numerals were used to record transactions, keep track of data, and label military units. In this topic, we are going to learn about the Roman numeral CXIX.
Ancient Romans discovered that counting fingers could get very complicated after 10. So to overcome the complexity, the Roman numeric system was developed. This was widely used throughout Europe as a standard writing system until the late Middle Ages. Seven symbols are used to represent numbers in the Roman numeric system — I, V, X, L, C, D, and M. The numerals are made up of different combinations of these symbols. CXIX in Roman numerals can be written in number form by adding the values of each Roman numeral, i.e., CXIX = 119.
Let us learn more about the Roman numeral CXIX, how we write them, the mistakes we usually make, and ways to avoid these mistakes.
When writing Roman numerals, there are a few rules that we need to follow based on the Roman numerals we are trying to write. In this section, we will learn about the rules when writing Roman numerals and how to represent them.
When a larger symbol is followed by a smaller symbol, we add the numerals to each other. For example, in VIII, we have 5 + 3 = 8.
A symbol that is repeated three times in continuation increases the value of the numeral. For example, XXX = 30.
We use the subtraction method when a larger symbol follows a smaller symbol. For example, XL = 40 (which is 50 – 10).
Symbols cannot be repeated more than three times, and some symbols, such as V, L, and D cannot be repeated more than once. For example, 10 is represented as X and not VV.
Let us learn about how to write CXIX in Roman numerals. There are two methods that we can use to write Roman numerals:
The breaking down of Roman numerals into parts and then converting them into numerals is what we call the expansion method. The expansion method is the breaking down of Roman numerals into numerical form and adding them to get the final number.
Step 1: Break the Roman numerals into parts.
Step 2: Now write each of the Roman numerals with its numerical digit in the place value.
Step 3: Add the numerals together.
For CXIX,
Step 1: First we break the Roman numerals. CXIX = C + X + I + X
Step 2: Write the Roman Numerals for each part The Roman Numeral C is 100 The Roman Numeral X is 10 The Roman Numeral I is 1
Step 3: Combine all the numbers C + X + I + X = 100 + 10 + 9 = 119. Therefore, the Roman Numeral CXIX is 119.
Using subtraction and addition rules, we will apply the grouping method. This means we break the Roman numerals into smaller groups, which makes it easier to work with. This method groups the Roman numerals logically, and then we write the numbers for each group.
Step 1: Take the largest number and write the number for that Roman numeral.
Step 2: Write the Roman numeral using the subtraction and addition rules.
Example: Let’s take the Roman numeral CXIX.
Step 1: The larger Roman numerals are what we will begin with. Once split, the Roman numerals we get are C, X, and IX. The numeral for C is 100.
Step 2: Now we need to either add or subtract the smaller number, depending on its place.
Here we add X and IX to C, and we will get CXIX. The Roman numeral X is 10, and IX is 9. Therefore, the numeral of CXIX is 119.
Students can make mistakes when studying Roman numerals. Here are a few common mistakes students make, and ways to avoid them.
If a clock shows the time as CXIX minutes past midnight, how many hours and minutes is that?
It is 1 hour and 59 minutes past midnight.
Convert CXIX into its decimal form:
CXIX = 119
119 minutes is equal to 1 hour and 59 minutes because: 60 minutes = 1 hour 119 - 60 = 59 minutes
So, 119 minutes = 1 hour and 59 minutes.
A treasure map indicates the treasure is located at a position marked as CXIX paces north. How far is this in decimal form?
The treasure is 119 paces north.
Convert the Roman numeral CXIX into its decimal form:
C = 100
X = 10
IX = 9
100 + 10 + 9 = 119
If you subtract LXXVIII from CXIX, what is the result in Roman numerals?
The difference is XLI.
Convert CXIX and LXXVIII into their decimal forms:
CXIX = 119
LXXVIII = 78
Now subtract the numbers: 119 - 78 = 41
Convert the result back to Roman numerals: 41 = 40 (XL) + 1 (I) = XLI
Multiply CXIX by II and express the result in Roman numerals.
The product is CCXXXVIII.
Convert CXIX and II into their decimal forms:
CXIX = 119
II = 2
Multiply the numbers: 119 × 2 = 238
Convert 238 into Roman numerals: 200 (CC) + 30 (XXX) + 8 (VIII) = CCXXXVIII
What is the remainder when CXIX is divided by VII? Express the remainder in Roman numerals.
The remainder is VI.
Convert CXIX and VII into their decimal forms:
CXIX = 119
VII = 7
Perform the division: 119 ÷ 7 = 17 with a remainder of 0, but if we consider the next multiple less than 119, 119 mod 7 = 6
Convert 6 into Roman numerals: 6 = VI
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.