Greco roman numerals. How to read Roman numerals? An excerpt characterizing Roman numerals

To designate numbers in Latin, combinations of the following seven characters are accepted: I (1), V (5), X (10), L (50), C (100), D (500), M (1000).

To memorize the letter designations of numbers in descending order, a mnemonic rule was invented:

Ms Darim FROMfull-time Limones, Xvatite Vthis Ix (respectively M, D, C, L, X, V, I).

If the sign denoting a smaller number stands to the right of the sign denoting a larger number, then the smaller number should be added to the larger one, if on the left, then subtract, namely:

VI - 6, i.e. 5 + 1
IV - 4, i.e. 5 - 1
XI - 11, i.e. 10 + 1
IX - 9, i.e. 10 - 1
LX - 60, i.e. 50 + 10
XL - 40, i.e. 50 - 10
CX - 110, i.e. 100 + 10
XC - 90, i.e. 100-10
MDCCCXII - 1812 i.e. 1000 + 500 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 10 + 1 + 1.

Different designations of the same number are possible. For example, the number 80 can be designated as LXXX (50 + 10 + 10 + 10) and as XXC (100 - 20).

To write numbers in Roman numerals, you must first write down the number of thousands, then hundreds, then tens, and finally units.

I (1) - unus (unus)
II (2) - duo (duo)
III (3) - tres (tres)
IV (4) - quattuor (quattuor)
V (5) - quinque (quinque)
VI (6) - sex (seks)
VII (7) - septera (septem)
VIII (8) - octo (octo)
IX (9) - novem (novem)
X (10) - decem
XI (11) - undecim (undecim)
XII (12) - duodecim (duodecim)
XH (13) - tredecim (tredecim)
XIV (14) - quattuordecim (quattuordecim)
XV (15) - quindecim (quindecim)
XVI (16) - sedecim
XVII (17) - septendecim (septendecim)
XVIII (18) - duodeviginti (duodeviginti)
XIX (19) - undeviginti (undeviginti)
XX (20) - viginti (viginti)
XXI (21) - unus et viginti or viginti unus
XXII (22) - duo et viginti or viginti duo, etc.
XXVIII (28) - duodetriginta (duodetriginta)
XXIX (29) - undetriginta (undetriginta)
XXX (30): triginta (triginta)
XL (40) - quadraginta
L (5O) - quinquaginta (quinquaginta)
LX (60) - sexaginta (seksaginta)
LXX (70) - septuaginta (szltuaginta)
LXXX180) - octoginta (octoginta)
KS (90) - nonaginta (nonaginta)
C (100) centum
CC (200) - ducenti (ducenti)
CCC (300) - trecenti (trecenti)
CD (400) - quadrigenti (quadrigenti)
D (500) - quingenti (quingenti)
DC (600) - sescenti (sescenti) or sexonti (seksconti)
DCC (700) - septigenti (septigenti)
DCCC (800) - octingenti (oktingenti)
CV (DCCC) (900) - nongenti (nongenti)
M (1000) - mille (mille)
MM (2000) - duo milia (duo milia)
V (5000) - quinque milla (quinque milla)
X (10,000) - decem milia
XX (20,000) - viginti milia (viginti milia)
C (100000) - centum milia
XI (1,000,000) - decies centena milia (decies centena milia).

If suddenly an inquisitive person asks why the Latin letters V, L, C, D, M were chosen to designate the numbers 50, 100, 500 and 1000, then we will immediately say that these are not Latin letters at all, but completely different signs.

The fact is that the basis for the Latin alphabet was the Western Greek alphabet. It is to him that the three signs L, C and M ascend. Here they denoted aspirated sounds, which were not in Latin. When the Latin alphabet was drawn up, it was they who turned out to be superfluous. They were also adapted to represent numbers in the Latin script. Later, they coincided in writing with the Latin letters. So, the sign C (100) became similar to the first letter of the Latin word centum (one hundred), and M (1000) - to the first letter of the word mille (one thousand). As for the sign D (500), it represented half of the sign F (1000), and then it became similar to the Latin letter. The V (5) was just the upper half of the X (10).

That's the whole story with these Roman numerals.

Assignment to consolidate the passed material

Pay attention to the designation of the three dates. The years of birth of Alexander Pushkin, Alexander Herzen and Alexander Blok are encrypted here in Roman numerals. Decide for yourself which Alexander belongs to which date.

MDCCCXH
MDCCXCIX
MDCCCLXXX

21st	XXI
20th	XX
19th	XIX
18th	XVIII
17th	XVII
16th	Xvi
15th	Xv
14th	XIV
13th	XIII
12th	XII
11th	XI
10th	X
9th	IX
8th	VIII
7th	Vii
6th	VI
5th	V
4th	IV
3rd	III
2nd	II
1st	I

Roman numerals, invented more than 2500 years ago, were used by Europeans for two millennia, then they were replaced by Arabic numerals. This happened because Roman numerals are difficult to write down, and any arithmetic operations in the Roman system are much more difficult to perform than in the Arabic number system. Despite the fact that today the Roman system is not often used, this does not mean that it has become irrelevant. In most cases, centuries are denoted in Roman numerals, but years or exact dates are usually written in Arabic numerals.

Roman numerals are also used when writing ordinal numbers of monarchs, encyclopedic volumes, valences of various chemical elements. The dials of wristwatches are also often used with Roman numerals.

Roman numerals are specific signs used to record decimal places and their halves. For this, only seven capital letters of the Latin alphabet are used. Number 1 corresponds to the Roman numeral I, 5 - V, 10 - X, 50 - L, 100 - C, 500 - D, 1000 - M. When denoting natural numbers, these numbers are repeated. So 2 can be written using twice I, that is, 2 - II, 3 - three letters I, that is, 3 - III. If the smaller number comes before the larger one, then the principle of subtraction is used (the smaller number is subtracted from the larger one). So, the number 4 is depicted as IV (that is, 5-1).

In the case when a large number is ahead of a smaller one, they are added, for example, 6 is written in the Roman system as VI (that is, 5 + 1).

If you are used to writing numbers in Arabic numerals, then some difficulties may arise in the case when you need to write centuries in Roman numerals, any number or date. It is very easy and very fast to convert any number from the Arabic system to the Roman numeral system and vice versa, using the convenient converter on our website.

On a computer keyboard, it is enough to switch to English to easily write any number in Roman numerals.

Apparently, the ancient Romans preferred straight lines, so all their numbers are straight and strict. However, Roman numerals are nothing more than a simplified representation of the fingers of a human hand. The numbers from one to four resemble elongated fingers, the number five can be compared to an open palm, where the thumb is protruding. And the number ten resembles two crossed arms. In European countries, it is customary to unbend your fingers when counting, but in Russia, on the contrary, to bend your fingers.

We all use Roman numerals - we use them to mark the numbers of centuries or months of the year. Roman numerals are found on hour dials, including the chimes of the Spasskaya Tower. We use them, but we don't know much about them.

How Roman numerals work

The Roman counting system in its modern version consists of the following basic signs:

I 1
V 5
X 10
L 50
C 100
D 500
M 1000

To memorize numbers that are unusual for us using the Arabic system, there are several special mnemonic phrases in Russian and English:
We Give Juicy Limes, Enough Vsem IX
We Give Advice Only Well-Bred Individuals
I Value Xylophones Like Cows Dig Milk

The system of arrangement of these numbers relative to each other is as follows: numbers up to three inclusive are formed by adding units (II, III), - four times repetition of any number is prohibited. To form numbers greater than three, the larger and smaller digits are added or subtracted, for subtraction the smaller digit is placed before the larger one, for the addition - after, (4 \u003d IV), the same logic applies to other digits (90 \u003d XC). The order of thousands, hundreds, tens and units is the same as we are used to.

It is important that any digit should not be repeated more than three times, so the longest number up to a thousand is 888 \u003d DCCCLXXXVIII (500 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 50 + 10 + 10 + 10 + 5 + 1 + 1 + 1).

Alternative options

The ban on the fourth use of the same number in a row began to appear only in the 19th century. Therefore, in the old texts one can see variants IIII and VIIII instead of IV and IX, and even IIIII or XXXXXX instead of V and LX. Remnants of this spelling can be seen on the clock, where four is often marked with exactly four units. In old books, there are also frequent cases of double subtractions - XIIX or IIXX instead of the standard ones nowadays XVIII.

Also in the Middle Ages, a new Roman numeral appeared - zero, which was denoted by the letter N (from the Latin nulla, zero). Large numbers were marked with special signs: 1000 - ↀ (or C | Ɔ), 5000 - ↁ (or | Ɔ), 10000 - ↂ (or CC | ƆƆ). Millions are obtained by double underlining standard digits. Fractions in Roman numerals were also written: with the help of signs, ounces were marked - 1/12, half was marked with the symbol S, and everything that is more than 6/12 - by the addition: S \u003d 10/12. Another option is S ::.

Origin

At the moment, there is no single theory of the origin of Roman numerals. One of the most popular hypotheses is that Etruscan-Roman numerals originated from a counting system that uses notches instead of numbers.

Thus, the number "I" is not a Latin or more ancient letter "and", but a notch that resembles the shape of this letter. Every fifth notch was marked with a bevel - V, and the tenth was crossed out - X. The number 10 in this account looked like this: IIIIΛIIIIX.

It is thanks to this record of numbers in a row that we owe a special system of addition of Roman numerals: over time, the record of the number 8 (IIIIΛIII) could be reduced to ΛIII, which convincingly demonstrates how the Roman system of counting got its specifics. Gradually, the notches turned into graphic symbols I, V and X, and acquired independence. Later they began to be identified with Roman letters - as they looked like them.

An alternative theory belongs to Alfred Cooper, who proposed to consider the Roman counting system from the point of view of physiology. Cooper believes that I, II, III, IIII is a graphical representation of the number of fingers of the right hand thrown out by the merchant when calling the price. V is the extended thumb, forming a V-like shape with the palm of the hand.

That is why Roman numerals sum up not only ones, but also add them with fives - VI, VII, etc. - this is the thrown back thumb and other exposed fingers. The number 10 was expressed by crossing hands or fingers, hence the symbol X. Another option - the number V was simply doubled, getting X. Large numbers were transmitted using the left palm, which counted tens. So gradually the signs of the ancient finger counting became pictograms, which then began to be identified with the letters of the Latin alphabet.

Modern application

Today in Russia, Roman numerals are needed, first of all, to record the number of a century or millennium. It is convenient to put Roman numerals next to Arabic numerals - if you write the century in Roman numerals, and then the year in Arabic, then the eyes will not ripple from the abundance of identical signs. Roman numerals have a certain shade of archaism. With their help, they also traditionally designate the serial number of the monarch (Peter I), the number of the volume of a multivolume edition, sometimes the chapter of the book. Also, Roman numerals are used in antique watch dials. Important numbers, such as the year of the Olympiad or the number of a scientific law, can also be fixed using Roman numerals: World II, Euclid's V postulate.

In different countries, Roman numerals are used a little differently: in the USSR it was customary to indicate the month of the year with them (XI.65). In the West, Roman numerals are often used to write the year number in film credits or on building facades.

In parts of Europe, especially in Lithuania, you can often find the designation of days of the week in Roman numerals (I - Monday, and so on). In Holland, Roman numerals sometimes denote floors. And in Italy, they mark 100-meter sections of the path, marking, at the same time, every kilometer with Arabic numerals.

In Russia, when writing by hand, it is customary to underline Roman numbers from below and above at the same time. However, often in other countries, underlining on top meant increasing the case of a number by 1000 times (or 10,000 times with double underscores).

There is a common misconception that modern Western clothing sizes have some connection with Roman numerals. In fact, the designations XXL, S, M, L, etc. have no connection with them: these are abbreviations of the English words eXtra (very), Small (small), Large (large).

One of the most popular trends in the world of tattoos is the date of birth, written in Roman numerals. The inscription is striking and a person who is not familiar with the basics of writing Roman numbers will not be very clear. Thus, the date is encrypted and becomes accessible only to those who are familiar with the elementary numerical expressions of the Latin language.

So, everything in order:

The date of birth is compiled in 3 stages.

Stage 1 - birthday.
Stage 2 - month of birth.
Stage 3 - year of birth.

All stages strictly follow each other and are separated by dots. Take the date of birth as an example. August 28, 1999.

In normal format, this date will look like this: 28.08.1999 ... The month of August was replaced by its ordinal number of the period of the year, namely 08. You can also write it as 28.8.1999 , no difference. In Roman numerals, the date will change to: XXVIII.VIII.MCMXCIX.

Stage 1. Day selection.

The maximum number of days in a month is 31. Therefore, it is easier to choose your day from the table than to calculate the correct spelling of the number:

1 - I	11 - XI	21 - XXI	31 - XXXI
2 - II	12 - XII	22 - XXII
3 - III	13 - XIII	23 - XXIII
4 - IV	14 - XIV	24 - XXIV
5 - V	15 - XV	25 - XXV
6 - VI	16 - XVI	26 - XXVI
7 - VII	17 - XVII	27 - XXVII
8 - VIII	18 - XVIII	28 - XXVIII
9 - IX	19 - XIX	29 - XXIX
10 - X	20 - XX	30 - XXX

Stage 2. Choice of the month.

There are 12 months in a year and they all have their own serial number.

Stage 3. Choice of the year.

The most difficult stage, as it has many spelling options.

Option 1 - shortened. The number consists of the last two digits of the year of birth. For example, the number 99 or Roman XCIX, would represent 1999, and 18 would be short for 2018 ( XVIII). The only non-abbreviated year is 2000, its Roman version will always be MM, both in shortened and in full.

1 - I	21 - XXI	41 - XLI	61 - LXI	81 - LXXXI
2 - II	22 - XXII	42 - XLII	62 - LXII	82 - LXXXII
3 - III	23 - XXIII	42 - XLIII	63 - LXIII	83 - LXXXIII
4 - IV	24 - XXIV	44 - XLIV	64 - LXIV	84 - LXXXIV
5 - V	25 - XXV	45 - XLV	65 - LXV	85 - LXXXV
6 - VI	26 - XXVI	46 - XLVI	66 - LXVI	86 - LXXXVI
7 - VII	27 - XXVII	47 - XLVII	67 - LXVII	87 - LXXXVII
8 - VII	28 - XXVIII	48 - XLVIII	68 - LXVIII	88 - LXXXVIII
9 - IX	29 - XXIX	49 - XLIX	69 - LXIX	89 - LXXXIX
10 - X	30 - XXX	50 - L	70 - LXX	90 - XC
11 - XI	31 - XXXI	51 - LI	71 - LXXI	91 - XCI
12 - XII	32 - XXXII	52 - LII	72 - LXXII	92 - XCII
13 - XIII	33 - XXXIII	53 - LIII	73 - LXXIII	93 - XCIII
14 - XIV	34 - XXXIV	54 - LIV	74 - LXXIV	94 - XCIV
15 - XV	35 - XXXV	55 - LV	75 - LXXV	95 - XCV
16 - XVI	36 - XXXVI	56 - LVI	76 - LXXVI	96 - XCVI
17 - XVII	37 - XXXVII	57 - LVII	77 - LXXVII	97 - XCVII
18 - XVIII	38 - XXXVIII	58 - LVIII	78 - LXXVII	98 - XCVIII
19 - XIX	39 - XXXIX	59 - LIX	79 - LXXIX	99 - XCIX
20 - XX	40 - XL	60 - LX	80 - LXXX

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