Roman Numerals For Kids

Roman numerals are a counting system that originated in ancient Rome. In Roman numerals, numbers are depicted using letters: for instance, ‘I’ correspond to ‘1’ and ‘IV’ means ‘4’. Although Arabic numerals are more common today, there are still many places where the Roman counting system can be found. Teaching Roman numbers to preschoolers might seem to be a confusing task. Let us break it down and make it easy and fun for your child to learn.

What Are Roman Numerals?

Let’s take a look at Roman numbers meaning for children.

Roman numerals are the numbers that the ancient Romans initially used. They used combinations of letters from the alphabet (I, V, X, L, C, D and M) to correspond to different numbers.

Why Should Kids Learn Roman Numbers?

1. We Encounter Them In Real Life

We see and use these numbers from time to time, such as on headings in books, wall clocks, etc.

2. It’s A Combination Of Maths And History

Roman numerals are a maths topic, but it is also an important part of ancient Roman history. Teaching this concept as part of a larger study on ancient Rome is an excellent way to combine subjects.

3. Provides New Representation Of Numbers

Seeing numbers represented in different ways helps kids broaden and sharpen their sense of numbers  and easily understand how numbers work. Writing numbers as Roman numerals is another way to show that various forms of numbers can look different can but be equal and represent the same things.

4. Can Reinforce Addition And Subtraction

Roman numerals require adding or subtracting the values that are written together. This helps kids practice addition and subtraction.

5. Can Reinforce The Idea Of Place Value

The letters we use to write Roman numerals represent different values. Therefore, it is a great opportunity to tell kids that where a number or letter sits or is placed holds certain meaning.

6. Fun To Learn

For kids, writing in roman numerals is like writing in code language, so of course kids love writing in Roman numerals. Plus, it may be a nice break and change for them if they feel frustrated or discouraged working with normal numbers.

Roman Numerals Chart

Roman Numerals (1 To 100) For Kids

Here are one to hundred Roman numbers for children.

What Are Roman Letters?

Some English alphabets are also used as Roman letters. Out of 26 English alphabets, there are 23 Roman alphabets. The letters J, U and W are not considered the Roman letters. Therefore, the Roman letters are: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, V, X, Y and Z. These Roman letters are also known as Roman symbols.

Roman Numerals In Maths

In this section, we will study some basic things about Roman numbers, such as rules to write them, conversion of Roman numerals, and subtraction rules of Roman numbers.

Rules To Write Number In Roman Numerals Form

It is necessary to remember the rules for reading and writing Roman numbers to avoid mistakes. Here is a list of the basic Roman numeral rules for kids.

• When some numerals are repeated, the number represented by them is their sum. For example, II = 1 + 1 = 2.
• Roman numerals can be written for 3 times. For example, XXX is 30, but XXXX is not 40; it will be XL.
• The letters V, L, and D should not be repeated when writing Roman numerals.
• Only I, X, and C can be used as subtraction numerals.
• When a Roman numeral is placed after another Roman numeral of greater value, the result is the sum of the numerals.
• When a Roman numeral is placed before another Roman numeral of greater value, the result is the difference between the numerals.
• When a Roman numeral of a smaller value is placed between two numerals of greater value, it is subtracted from the numeral on its right.
• This system does not follow any place value system.
• There is no Roman numeral for 0.

How To Convert Roman Numerals To Numbers?

We can also convert Roman numerals to numbers in the following ways:

• Write each Roman numeral symbol individually.
• Convert each symbol to its number form and then write them individually.
• Add all the numbers to get the number.

Subtraction Rules Of Roman Numbers

How To Teach Your Child All Roman Numerals

Here are some ways that will help teach your little one Roman numerals:

• Show your child how to write Roman numbers and encourage them to practice the same.
• Repetition is the key to learning. So, make your child practice as much as possible.
• Try teaching your child with the help of various games and activities to make the learning process fun and easy for them.

Activities That Will Help Your Child To Learn Roman Numbers

In this section, we have covered some fun Roman numeral activities that kids will love participating in.

1. Match The Cards

Write Roman numerals’ I to X on pieces of paper. Make two sets of these cards. Make your child sit in front of you and play the card matching game with them. Whoever gets the matching card right can pick up the rest of the cards and continue playing the game.

2. Snakes & Ladders

Take a card sheet and make a snakes and ladders board game using Roman numerals I to C. Paste the Roman Numerals I to VI on dice. Roll the dice over, and start playing the classic snakes & ladders game.

3. Hopscotch Game

Play the all-time favourite hopscotch game, but this time, write the numbers in Roman style.

4. Playdough Roman Numbers

Give your child a number, and they have to recreate the shape of that Roman number using their playdough.

5. Magic Roman Numbers

On a sheet, ask your child to write 1 to 10 numbers in Roman style using white wax crayon. Now ask them to paint over the sheet using any dark colour. Kids will love watching the numbers coming alive.

6. Roman Numerals With Straws

Cut some straws to get six smaller pieces of equal length. Give your child a number and ask them to represent it in Roman numerals using straw pieces.

7. Worksheets

On a sheet, give your child some addition and subtraction questions. Ask your child to write the answer in Roman numbers. For example, 5 + 5 = X.

8. Roman Numeral Art

Make your child learn how to write Roman numbers with the help of an art activity. Ask your child to draw a clock, but write the numbers inside the clock in Roman numerals.

Solved Problems On Roman Numerals

1. Write 69 in Roman numerals.

Solution:

69 = 60 + 9
= (50 + 10) + (10 – 1)
= LX + IX
= LXIX
Thus, 69 = LXIX.

2. Convert 1984 into the Roman numeral.

Solution:

Break the numbers 1984 into 1000, 900, 80 and 4, then perform each conversion.
As, 1000 + 900 + 80 + 4 = 1984
1000 = M
900 = CM
80 = LXXX
4 = IV
1000 + 900 + 80 + 4 = 1984,
So, 1984 = MCMLXXXIV

3. Convert 1775 to Roman Numerals.

Solution:

Break 1775 into 1000, 700, 70, 5 and then do each conversion
1000 = M
700 = DCC
70 = LXX
5 = V
1000+700+70+5 = 1775,
Hence, 1774 = MDCCLXXV

4.  MXXII – LXX – LI.

Solution:

Given: MXXII – LXX – LI.
MXXII = 1022, LXX = 70 and LI = 51.
Substituting these numbers in the Roman numeral letters,
MXXII – LXX – LI = 1022 – 70 – 51.
MXXII – LXX – LI = 901
Hence, the number 901 in the Roman numeral is CMI.

Practice Questions For Kids On Roman Numbers

Here are a few Roman numbers questions for kids to practice.

1. Find the sum: XX + VII =?
    Solution: XX + VII = XXVI

2. What is XXIXV?
     Solution: 24

3. Write the answer in Roman numerals  7 + 1 = ?
     Solution: 7 + 1 = VIII

4. Write 55 in Roman numerals.
    Solution: LV

5. What is CII in numbers?
    Solution: 102

6. Write this in Roman numerals VI = V + I
    Solution: 6 = 5 + 1

7. What is XVI?
    Solution: 16

We hope this article helped your child to learn Roman numerals. Make sure that your child revises these with the help of the Roman numerals list given above. Happy learning!

Also Read:

Number Names for Children
How to Teach Ordinal Numbers to Kids
Fun Alphabet Games for Children