Know your numbers - Roman Numerals

Roman Numerals

This activity is also available in PDF format which can be downloaded and printed out. Please click here

Roman numerals are a numeral system that originated in Ancient Rome and are still used today. They can be found on clocks, watches, sun dials and, book chapters, and are used as numbering, bullet points and to identify kings, queens and popes.

Roman Numerals use 7 different Latin letters to indicate numbers. Zeros are not used.

The letters used are:

I    =    1

V    =    5

X    =    10

L    =    50

C    =    100

D    =    500

M    =    1000

Bigger numbers are made by combining the letters in different ways.

Below are some arithmetic problems for you to complete using the Roman Numeral format and there’s even a challenge for you to create your own!

Now practise your Roman numerals

1. Roman Numerals 100 Square

Using this information, have a go at filling in the grid below.

Grid of Roman numerals

2. Translate these Roman Numerals. Remember to show your working out.

For example: XXV - 10 + 10 + 5 = 25

  1. XVIII
  2. XXXIV
  3. XLII
  4. LXVI
  5. LXXII
  6. CXIII
  7. CXV
  8. CXVI
  9. DX
  10. DCLX
  11. MD 
  12. MCD

3. Write these numbers in Roman Numerals

  1. 35
  2. 66
  3. 88
  4. 99
  5. 124
  6. 178
  7. 283
  8. 304
  9. 570

4. Arrange these numbers in size order

XXXV, XL, XXX, LX, LV, L, XLV, LXV

_____,____,_____,____,____,____,____

CL, CCC, CCL, C, CC, CD, L, CCCL

_____,_____,_____,____,____,____,____

5. Solve the following:

  1. V + XI =
  2. XIX - XII =
  3. XII x III =
  4. L ÷ II =
  5. VII + M =
  6. XV - I =
  7. XXII + XVII=
  8. X x VI =
  9. Write the year of your birth in Roman Numerals
  10. Write the current year in Roman Numerals

Check your answers against the Answer Sheet in the PDF below

Challenge yourself

Create your own Roman Numeral sums and give them to someone else to solve.





Family game time - play Roman Bingo!

Why not have a game of Roman bingo with your family using the cards below? Take the 100 grid (above) with all the Roman numerals, cut it into squares and put all the numbered squares into a bag. Shake the bag and pull out numbers at random. You could also create your own cards with different numbers.

Roman bingo cards


Download the activity sheets

If you'd like to have a printout of the activities, please download the PDF here