Count of Monte Cristo
Learning Roman Numerals
Name: _______________ Block ___
In classical texts, art, and other works, you will commonly see Roman numerals rather than our modern
ten-digit number system. Once you learn the basic letter indicators for single major numbers (below)
and then learn the mathematical formula for calculating the total numeral’s value, you will know how to
read Roman numerals!
Here are the basic letter indicators for major numbers:
I=1
C = 100
V=5
D = 500
X = 10
M = 1000
L = 50
Now that you know the values of these letters, the final step of calculating them is simple addition and
subtraction!
If you notice that the letters’ values in a Roman numeral are in order from larger to smaller value, you
simply need to add them together. For example:
III = 1 + 1 + 1 = 3
VII = 5 + 1 + 1 = 6
CLVI = 100 + 50 + 5 + 1 = 156
Now, here comes the most difficult part. If the letters are NOT in order from larger to smaller value, you
must SUBTRACT whichever letters are out of order. For example:
IV = (-1) + 5 = 4
XL = (-10) + 50 = 40
CVL = 100 + (-5) + 50 = 145
Once you understand that, you have all the basic tools to calculate roman numerals.
Try these:
VIII =
IX =
XXI =
XLV =
LXIV =
CLXXXVII =
IC =
IM =
Here is a hard one! Many times when you watch movies, if you read the fine print closely, you see a
release date of the film in roman numerals. The movie “The Godfather” was released on this date:
MCMLXXII =