Roman Numerals 1 to 20 – List, Chart, Rules, Solved Problems

Roman numerals, an ancient number system used by the Romans, are still prevalent today in various applications such as clock faces, book chapters, and movie sequels. The numerals from 1 to 20 are represented as follows: I (1), II (2), III (3), IV (4), V (5), VI (6), VII (7), VIII (8), IX (9), X (10), XI (11), XII (12), XIII (13), XIV (14), XV (15), XVI (16), XVII (17), XVIII (18), XIX (19), and XX (20). Understanding these symbols is essential for decoding historical documents, understanding classical literature, and recognizing their use in modern contexts. Learning Roman numerals also enhances cognitive skills by providing a different perspective on number representation and arithmetic.

Download Roman Numerals 1 to 20 in PDF

Roman Numerals 1 to 20

Download Roman Numerals 1 to 20 in PDF

Rules to Write Roman Numerals 1 to 20

1. Basic Symbols:
   • I = 1
   • V = 5
   • X = 10
   • L = 50
   • C = 100
   • D = 500
   • M = 1000
2. Repetition:
   • A symbol can be repeated up to three times to add values. For example, II = 2 and III = 3.
3. Addition:
   • When a smaller numeral appears after a larger numeral, it is added to the larger numeral. For example, VI = 6 (5 + 1) and VII = 7 (5 + 2).
4. Subtraction:
   • When a smaller numeral appears before a larger numeral, it is subtracted from the larger numeral. For example, IV = 4 (5 – 1) and IX = 9 (10 – 1).
5. Combining Numerals:
   • Combine symbols to create numbers. For instance, VIII = 8 (5 + 3) and XI = 11 (10 + 1).

Solved Problems

Understanding the rules for writing Roman numerals involves applying basic principles of addition and subtraction. Here are a few solved problems demonstrating these rules:

1. Problem: Write 4 in Roman numerals.
   • Solution: 4 is written as IV. According to the subtraction rule, I (1) is placed before V (5) to represent 4 (5 – 1).
2. Problem: Write 8 in Roman numerals.
   • Solution: 8 is written as VIII. According to the addition rule, VIII is 5 (V) plus 3 (III), giving us 8.
3. Problem: Write 13 in Roman numerals.
   • Solution: 13 is written as XIII. According to the addition rule, XIII is 10 (X) plus 3 (III), giving us 13.
4. Problem: Write 19 in Roman numerals.
   • Solution: 19 is written as XIX. According to the subtraction rule, I (1) is placed before X (10) to represent 9 (10 – 1), then added to X (10) for a total of 19.
5. Problem: Write 20 in Roman numerals.
   • Solution: 20 is written as XX. According to the repetition rule, X (10) is repeated twice to represent 20.

Understanding Roman numerals from 1 to 20 is fundamental for mastering this ancient numerical system. The numerals I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, XII, XIII, XIV, XV, XVI, XVII, XVIII, XIX, and XX represent the numbers 1 through 20, respectively. The system relies on specific rules of repetition, addition, and subtraction, where smaller numerals before larger ones indicate subtraction, and those after indicate addition. Familiarity with these numerals aids in interpreting various modern uses, such as in clocks and book chapters, enhancing both historical knowledge and numerical literacy.