RNC: Roman Numeral Converter
How to Use
- Type or paste the number on the input. It can be Roman numerals or Arabic (standard or international) numerals. We will see the output instantly.
- RNC accepts positive integer as the input.
Zero
There is no zero (0) number in Roman numerals system.
But there's the word nulla.
RNC will return the initial of the word, which is N, if we put 0 on the input box.
But, because N isn't an actual Roman numeral, hence, if we type N on the input box, it will return error.
Negative Number
There is no negative number for Roman numerals system.
Fractions
There is fraction concept in Roman Numerals.
But because nowadays we never (ever) use it (Roman fraction), therefore RNC is not included with it.
The Sequence
The system consists of these letters: I, V, X, L, C, D, and M.
- I: 1
- V: 5
- X: 10
- L: 50
- C: 100
- D: 500
- M: 1000
Pattern Examples
- I: 1
- II: 2
- III: 3
- IV: 4
- V: 5
- VI: 6
- VII: 7
- VIII: 8
- IX: 9
- X: 10
- XI: 11
- XXII: 22
- XXXV: 35
- XLIV: 44
- LIII: 53
- CD: 400
- CDL: 450
- ML: 1050
- and so on...
Pattern Arithmetic
The smaller numeral is used as subtractor of the larger one if it is placed in front (left side) of the larger numeral.
small-large pattern.
IV ➡️ I is the small part, V is the large one ➡️ small-large pattern ➡️ means (large - small) ➡️ IV = 5 - 1 = 4 ➡️ IV = 4
The smaller or equal numeral is used as adder when it is placed behind (right side) the larger (or equal) numeral.
large-small pattern.
VI ➡️ V is the large part, I is the small one ➡️ large-small pattern ➡️ means (large + small) ➡️ VI = 5 + 1 = 6 ➡️ VI = 6
equal-equal pattern.
XX ➡️ both are X (equal) ➡️ equal-equal pattern ➡️ means (equal + equal) ➡️ XX = 10 + 10 = 20 ➡️ XX = 20
Let's try to read this, MMXXV = 2025.
MMXXV ➡️ MM + XXV = (1000 + 1000) + 25 = 2000 + 25 = 2025.
It's used in literature and whatnots in entertainment and academia to confuse common folks 😂 Let's try to read another one, MCMLIX.
MCMLIX ➡️ M + CM + L + IX = 1000 + (1000 - 100) + 50 + 9 = 1000 + 900 + 50 + 9 = 1959.
The grouping is done by reading the numerals from left to right, from the largest to the smallest.
Using this system, we apply the predefinition (I, V, X, L, C, D, and M) and the rules above instead of reinventing.
For instance, 10 is already defined as X. Hence, we do not write VV, or IXI, or other than X. Because... 10 is already defined as X.
Or, 500 is predefined as D . Thus, we do not write DM (1000 - 500 = 500 ❓🙋♂️) because of the similar reason.
About the confusing common folks bit, it was a jest. It is related to Roman's influence throughout the history of Europe.
Because they (the ancient Romans) were not dealing with bloated numeric value like nowadays, thus the largest digit is 1,000 (M) — one thousand. So, today's 10,000,000 (ten million), most likely will be converted to Roman numerals as 10,000 M's.
