3.  Round the following numbers to the nearest thousand.

(a) 1837 (b) 9730 (c) 5771 (d) 4814 (e) 7394 (f)  5183

4. ........... is the smallest number, which when rounded to the nearest ten becomes 170.
5. ........... is the greatest number, which when rounded to the nearest ten becomes 170.

Roman Numbers
The numbers 1, 2, 3, and so on are called Hindu–Arabic numbers. Romans used seven
basic symbols to write numbers. This system of writing numbers, called the Roman
number system, was used in ancient Rome. This system is not based on the place value.
Also, there is no symbol for zero in this number system.
The following table gives the Roman symbols for some Hindu–Arabic numbers.

Mathematics
Hindu–Arabic Numbers 1 5 10 50 100 500 1,000

Roman Numbers I V X L C D M

The Roman numbers were created 2,000 years ago, but they are still in use. You can find
them on the faces of clocks, watches, in inscriptions on buildings, magazines, and books.

Rules for writing Roman numbers

1. A symbol can be repeated up to a maximum of 3 times.
Examples: XXX = 10 + 10 + 10 = 30; III = 1 + 1 + 1 = 3
2. If a symbol of lower value is placed before a symbol of higher value, then subtract the
lower value from the higher value.
Examples: IX = 10 – 1 = 9; IV = 5 – 1 = 4;
XC = 100 – 10 = 90
Choose the correct answer.
3. If a symbol of lower value is placed after a symbol 1. The Roman number for 78 is
of higher value, then add the values. …………. .
Examples: XI = 10 + 1 = 11; VI = 5 + 1 = 6 (a) LXXVIII (b) CVIII
(c) XXVIII (d) CVIIIX
4. I can be subtracted from V and X only.
2. The Roman number CI represents
Examples: IV = 5 – 1 = 4; IX = 10 – 1 = 9 ………….. .
5. X can be used before and after L and C. (a) 99 (b) 101
(c) 108 (d) 110
Examples: XL = 50 – 10 = 40; LX = 50 + 10 = 60;
XC = 100 – 10 = 90
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 6. V and L are never repeated.
Some common errors
VL = 45 (wrong); XLV = 45 (correct)
IC = 99 (wrong); XCIX = 99 (correct)
VVV = 15 (wrong); XV = 15 (correct)
Examples:
Rewrite the following sentences by changing the Roman numbers to Hindu–Arabic
numbers.
1. LV children went for a picnic. 2. There are CX pages in my book.
Ans. 55 children went for a picnic. Ans. There are 110 pages in my book.
Mathematics

3. I am IX years old.
Ans. I am 9 years old.

EXERCISE 1.7

1. Observe the tables and fill in the blanks. One has been done for you.

Hindu–Arabic 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
­Numbers

Roman ­Numbers I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX

1 1+1 1+1+1 5–1 5 5+1 5+1+1 5 + 1 + 1 + 1 10 – 1

Hindu– 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
Arabic
­Numbers

Roman X XX XXX XL L LX LXX LXXX XC

­Numbers

10 10 + 10 10 + 10 + 50 – 10 50 50 + 10 50 + 10 + 50 + 10 + 10 + 100 –
10 10 10 10

(a)  11 = ................
10 + 1   = ................
X+I   = ................
XI
(b)  12 = ................   = ................   = ................

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 (c)  13 = ................   = ................   = ................
(d)  14 = ................   = ................   = ................
(e)  15 = ................   = ................   = ................
(f)  16 = ................   = ................   = ................
(g)  17 = ................   = ................   = ................

2. Write the equivalent Hindu–Arabic numbers for the ­following.

(a) XIII (b) XV (c) IX (d) XI (e) XX

3. Write the corresponding Roman numbers for the ­following.

(a) 2 (b) 15 (c) 18 (d) 4 (e) 9 (f) 7 (g) 5

Mathematics
Activity
Forming Roman numbers
Materials required: toothpicks
Method:
Students should be asked to bring toothpicks and work in groups of 4 or 5 each. The teacher
should call out the number and the groups must represent it as Roman numbers with the help of
the toothpicks.
Some simple addition and subtraction can also be performed. For example,
(a) Teacher says: 2 + 4
It is represented by the groups with the help of toothpicks as shown:
II + IV = VI and so on.
(b) Teacher says: Give the successor of IV.
The successor of IV is represented by the groups with the help of toothpicks as V.
(c) Teacher says: 5 – 2
The answer is represented by the groups with the help of toothpicks as III.

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