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When in Rome

A brief history of Roman Numerals:

Roman numerals, as the name suggests, originated in ancient Rome. No one is sure when they were first used, but it far predates the Middle Ages.

There are several theories as to the origins of this counting system, but it's commonly believed to have started with the ancient Etruscans. The symbol for 1 in the roman numeral system probably represented a single tally mark --  the kind people would notch into wood or draw into dirt to keep track of items or events they were counting.

  • Translating Roman Numerals

    • when in rome notes on roman numerals

      Notes and Examples

    • roman numeral hidden message exercise

      Hidden Message Puzzle -- Working with Roman Numerals

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    Riddle:  Using any symbol, what can you add to IX to make 6?

     

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    Math Cartoon #54 - "Recovery in Ancient Rome: The ambiguity of Roman Numerals"  (10-13-12)  (Click lower right to view)

     

    math cartoon 54 ambiguity of roman numerals

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    Connections:

    why u professor

    Check out entertaining animated videos about roman numerals and math concepts at whyu.org


    logo ostermiller org expanded emblem

    Practice using Roman Numerals; See the longest Roman Numeral: 3,888,888! at ostermiller.org

     

    nicholas academy emblem for link

    Roman Numeral exercises, flashcards, and converter, and other resources from Nicholasacademy.com

     

    adrian bruce maths stuff image for link

    World of roman numerals | Lessons, history, examples, and games | resources adrian bruce

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  • SOLUTIONS

    • roman numeral hidden message exercise solutions

      Hidden Message Puzzle -- Working with Roman Numerals solution

    • Roman numeral riddle answers

      Riddle Answers

     



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    Download Roman Numerals Puzzles and Comics .pdf file

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Riddle: What would a pack of M&M's cost in Ancient Rome?

 

 

Roman Numerals Today:

Roman Numerals are used in a variety of applications. If you are creating an outline, you may be expected to use roman numerals. They are commonly used on clocks and watches, number book chapters, events, and films. Monarchs and Popes are usually numbered with this system, as are guitar chords and cranial nerves.

 

Crossword Puzzle creators are fond of using Roman Numerals in their grids. (It allows puzzle creators to fill in spaces with odd combinations of letters while using clever clues). Examples that require translation might be the following: "M in ancient Rome"  (1000/thousand);  "half of MCIV"  (DLII);

 

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Excerpt from "Number Stories of Long Ago" by David Eugene Smith (1919)

Titus liked to puzzle a chum of his named Caius, and one day he asked him this question : " What is the number that becomes one more when one is taken away from it ?"

"Your head," replied Caius, "must be just plain wood."

But when Titus wrote IX on the stone pavement and said to Caius, "Now take away the I and tell me what you have left," Caius saw that the wooden head had something in it after all.

Then Caius, remarking that he could think of many other numbers that would answer just as well, asked this question: "What is the number  that becomes ten more when ten is taken away ? "Titus then asked Caius if he knew that half of nine was four, and Caius replied that he must be dreaming. But Titus pointed again to IX and asked Caius to take the upper half of it and see if it was not IV. Then Caius said that he could show that half of twelve was seven.

"That is nothing," said Titus; "half of thirteen is eight."

Source:  Page 30      

www.archive.org/stream/numberstorieslo01smitgoog/numberstorieslo01smitgoog_djvu.txt

 

titus and caius manipulate roman numerals

 

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An Exception: IIII vs. IV

rolex watch iiii vs iv

Why does this Rolex watch use IIII instead of IV?  Why do some clocks not use IV to represent 4?

Explanations include:

Symmetry and weight balance -- To oppose the VIII (eight), IIII was better than IV

Respect for the Roman God Jupiter -- IV is the symbol for Jupiter; so, public clocks used IIII instead of IV

Ease of use: Easier (and cheaper) to cast molding of IIII, instead of IV..

Preference: some just believe IIII is correct; or, they simply prefer IIII

Click here for sources and more explanations

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Hidden Message Puzzle II

hidden message 2 roman numbers

Click for Hidden Solutions!

 


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Find more Hidden Message Puzzles in the Travel Log Collection or search throughout the site

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Math Riddle: If you take away 1/2 of five, you end up with four. How?

Hint

Solution

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"XLIX" by Chris Burke (2-1-15)

2015 super bowl xlix math comic xwhy

more comics at x-why

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Webcomic #4 -- "Shopping in Ancient Rome" (The ambiguity of Roman Numerals)

webcomic 4 shopping in ancient rome - mixing roman numerals

 

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