An Easy Way to Remember Roman Numerals
Yes, the Roman Empire may be long gone, but that's no reason not to learn Roman numerals. Whether you want to make sense of a sundial, create a long outline or impress your friends by deciphering the Roman numeral date at the end of movie credits, a working knowledge of the Roman numeral system is never a bad thing. Fortunately, the Roman numerals I, V, X, L, C, D and M operate on a regular pattern that makes remembering them a little easier.
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Instructions
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Develop a mnemonic device to remember the order of Roman numerals. A common mnemonic like "I Value Xylophones Like Cows Dig Milk" puts the Roman numerals I, V, X, L, C, D and M in order from smallest to largest. If you only have trouble with the larger numbers, it may help to remember that "C" is equivalent to "century" and "M" is equivalent to "millennium": 100 and 1000, respectively.
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Write the six pairs of "subtractive" Roman numerals on a notecard along with their equivalents in Roman numerals, "IV" is equal to 4, "IX" to 9, "XL" to 40, "XC" to 90, "CD" to 400 and "CM" to 900. These are called "subtractive" because the first letter is "subtracted" from the second. Keep the notecard visible at all times so you know to recognize these pairs when they appear.
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Convert your age to Roman numerals by using the additive property of the Roman numerals. For example, 34 would be "XXXIV" -- XXX for 30 followed by the subtractive pair IV for 4. Write your age in Arabic numbers on one side of the notecard and its Roman numeral equivalent on the other.
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Convert a larger number you're familiar with to Roman numerals, like your phone's area code or your street address, following the same additive and subtractive rules. Write the Arabic number on one side of a notecard and write the Roman version on the other.
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Create as many flashcards as you have notecards available, each with an Arabic number written on one side and its Roman equivalent on the other. You want to use a large number of cards with many different numbers so that you can learn the rules of Roman numerals rather than remembering them by rote.
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Stack the flashcards in a deck and shuffle them, keeping the subtractive number reference card separate. Text your knowledge of Roman numerals by seeing how quickly you can convert the number, whether Roman or Arabic, to the equivalent on the other side of the card. When you've run out of cards, shuffle the deck and begin again.
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Tips & Warnings
Roman numerals have a basic pattern, which is 1 5 1 5 1 5 1, increasing by powers of 10. In other words, the most common numerals I, V, X, L, C, D and M are equivalent to 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 respectively.
If a Roman numeral is paired with a smaller numeral to the right, that number is being added -- VI is equal to V + I, or 6. As many as to three of the small number may be added, so XIII is equal to X + I + I + I, or 13.
Roman numerals are written from the left to right with the largest number first. For example, MCDXCII consists of M for 1000, followed by CD for 400, XC for 90 and II for 2 -- 1000 + 400 + 90 + 2, or 1492.
When trying to remember Roman numerals, it's best to start small so the rules don't become overly complicated.
References
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