Basic values
Roman numerals use fixed letter values.
Learn the key symbols first.
Year 5
Read Roman numerals to 1000 and recognise years written in Roman numerals
Read Roman numerals to 1000 and connect them to standard whole-number notation, including years.
Lesson overview
Number - number and place value
Roman numerals use letters to show number values. I is 1, V is 5, X is 10, L is 50, C is 100, D is 500 and M is 1000. Smaller values placed before larger ones are subtracted. Otherwise, they are added.
Subtract when a smaller numeral comes first
IV is 4 because 1 is subtracted from 5. IX is 9 because 1 is subtracted from 10.
A smaller numeral before a larger one usually means subtract.
Years can be written in Roman numerals
MCMLXXXIV is 1984.
Break longer numerals into parts you recognise.
Worked example
Read the Roman numeral CMXLII.
- Break the numeral into parts you know.
- CM is 900 because 100 comes before 1000.
- XL is 40 because 10 comes before 50, and II is 2.
- So CMXLII is 942.
Round 1: Learn it
Use the key symbols and watch for when a smaller value comes before a larger one.
Finish this round to unlock Round 2: Show you know it.
Question 1
What number is XL?
Question 2
What number is DVI?
Question 3
Write the number for CMXLII.
Question 4
Which Roman numeral matches 1984?
Question 5
What does IX mean?
Common mistakes
Watch for these as you work through the lesson.
- Adding every numeral even when subtraction should be used.
- Confusing similar symbols such as L and C.
- Not breaking a longer numeral into familiar parts.
Related topics
These ideas connect closely to this lesson.
- Read, write, order and compare numbers to at least 1,000,000 and determine the value of each digit.
- Solve number problems and practical problems that involve all of the above.