Roman numerals are represented by seven different symbols: I
, V
, X
, L
, C
, D
and M
.
Symbol Value I 1 V 5 X 10 L 50 C 100 D 500 M 1000
For example, 2
is written as II
in Roman numeral, just two one's added together. 12
is written as XII
, which is simply X + II
. The number 27
is written as XXVII
, which is XX + V + II
.
Roman numerals are usually written largest to smallest from left to right. However, the numeral for four is not IIII
. Instead, the number four is written as IV
. Because the one is before the five we subtract it making four. The same principle applies to the number nine, which is written as