Roman numerals have been used for centuries as a ancient numbering system, but still relevant in many areas. These numbers, which originated in ancient Rome, are characterized by their unique style and special symbolism such as the XVIII or AD. On this occasion, we will learn more about the Roman numerals and what number XLVII is, focusing specifically on deciphering it and what it represents in Arabic numerals.
What number is XLVII?
Roman numerals is a number system that originated in ancient Rome and was used extensively throughout the Roman Empire. although nowadays It is no longer a widely used systemwe still find its presence in some specific contexts, such as clocks, book chapters, movie titles, and potato names.
For starters, the basic symbols used in Roman numerals are:
I – 1 V – 5 X – 10 L – 50 C – 100 D – 500 M – 1000
These are combined to form numbers, following some specific rules. First, these symbols are read from left to right, and their value is added if they are in descending order. For example, ‘VIII’ represents the number 8, since we add V(5) with III(3).
Second, if a lower value symbol precedes a higher value symbol, subtract the value of the symbol less than the value of the greater symbol. For example, ‘IX’ represents the number 9, since we subtract I (1) from X (10).
Finally, a symbol cannot be repeated more than three times in a row. To represent significantly larger numbers, a horizontal line is placed above the symbol, indicating that its value is multiplied by a thousand. For example, ‘V̅’ represents 5000.
What representation does this number have in the Roman system?
This roman numeral represents the arabic number 47 in the Roman numeral system. Here, the letters ‘X’ (10), ‘L’ (50) and ‘V’ (5) are combined to form the number 47 of the decimal system. The letter ‘X’ (10) is placed in front of ‘L’ (50) to subtract 10 from 50 and then ‘V’ (5) is added to get 47. Remember that if a symbol of lesser value follows a symbol of greater value, then adds. For example, ‘XVI’ represents the number 16, since we add X (10) with V (5) and I (1).
We must also point out that, although the numbering system used in Spanish is the decimal system (based on ten), that is, it uses ten digits from 0 to 9there is a relationship between Roman numerals and Spanish in terms of the written representation of the figures by a combination of capital letters.
What is its value and how is it obtained?
Based on the rules that we have just mentioned, if we follow them correctly, the Roman numeral XLVII will be formed by combining the symbols X (10), L (50), V (5), and I (1). To obtain the figure that determines the value of XLVII we must place X (10) before L (50) to subtract 10 from 50, resulting in 40. V (5) is placed after L (50) to add 5 to 40 remaining, obtaining 45. Finally, II (2) is placed after V (5) to add 2, obtaining the decimal number 47.
Another option is using a ‘tool’ (tool or program) to convert Roman numerals to Arabic.
This system is quite limited for most mathematical uses, how to make a fraction, a graph, get invoices, among others. However, it is still relevant for a few uses in daily life, whether it is to number a calendar, historical date, chapters presented in any medium, etc.
