Roman Numerals Cheat Sheet: How to Read and Write Them (With Every Year from 2020-2030)
You see Roman numerals on Super Bowls, movie credits, clocks, and building cornerstones. Here is how to read every single one without guessing.
Roman numerals use exactly seven symbols: I (1), V (5), X (10), L (50), C (100), D (500), and M (1000). Every Roman numeral ever written is a combination of these seven symbols, following two simple rules that cover 100% of cases.
Rule 1: Add When Left to Right Goes Big to Small
When a larger or equal symbol precedes a smaller one, add them. XVI = 10 + 5 + 1 = 16. MMXXVI = 1000 + 1000 + 10 + 10 + 5 + 1 = 2026. CLXIII = 100 + 50 + 10 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 163. Just read left to right and add.
Rule 2: Subtract When a Smaller Symbol Precedes a Larger One
When a smaller symbol appears immediately before a larger one, subtract the smaller from the larger. IV = 5 - 1 = 4. IX = 10 - 1 = 9. XL = 50 - 10 = 40. XC = 100 - 10 = 90. CD = 500 - 100 = 400. CM = 1000 - 100 = 900. There are only six subtractive combinations, and they always involve a symbol that is exactly one step up (I before V or X, X before L or C, C before D or M).
Every Year from 2020 to 2030
2020 = MMXX. 2021 = MMXXI. 2022 = MMXXII. 2023 = MMXXIII. 2024 = MMXXIV. 2025 = MMXXV. 2026 = MMXXVI (this year). 2027 = MMXXVII. 2028 = MMXXVIII. 2029 = MMXXIX. 2030 = MMXXX. The MM at the start means 2000, the XX means 20, and the rest is the ones digit. Once you see the pattern, every year in this decade is readable at a glance.
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