What number does MCMLXXIV represent?

How to calculate:

M = 1000

CM = 1000-100 = 900

LXX = 50+10+10 = 70

IV = 5-1 = 4

--------------------------------

Total = 1974

Note: Usually, no more than three of any one symbol is used to represent a number.

- If a letter or symbol is repeated in sequence, the numbers are added.

- If a symbol for a smaller number is used after the symbol for a larger number, the numbers are added.

- If a symbol for a smaller number is used before the symbol for a larger number, the smaller number is subtracted from the greater number.

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58 Comments

Stacey S

Apparently, they don't teach Roman numerals in school anymore. I went back to college for a second degree four years ago. When we had a test that included the cranial nerves, the kids fresh out of high school had no idea how to number them! I gave several a crash course. My 5th grader was not taught cursive, and none of my children, up to the age of 34, were taught base systems in math.

Eric Brown

Got it right because I've known how read Roman numeral numerals since my grammar school days. They are so easy to read.

joan musicmasters

Love Roman numerals! I can't believe they are no longer taught in schools.

Barry Chapman

Year I started work

Andrew Mullineaux

Surely everyone knows this-- any literate 10 year-old.

Lynne Zeman

Yea. That was fun. Took me a minute cause I haven't exercised those muscles in a while but got it!

Judy Wilson

Grr, I hit the wrong date by mistake!!

Dominic Willott

Isabel Laing, CM is 900; if you want 1900, you must write MCM

Alana King

Stacey S, it's very sad. I have been able to decipher Roman numerals since I was little. I was taught cursive in 3rd grade (joined handwriting as we called it at that age) and have never looked back, (my handwriting non - cursive looks like a 4-year-old). As for maths, they need to return to the basics and go back to reciting it (particularly times tables) each morning, so as for retaining it. My father had me at my 8x tables before primary (elementary) school. With all the "alternative methods," it confused me for a long time, until I returned to his teachings, which have served me accurately ever since.

Karin Johansson

CharlesB, not only americans except if you study history

Corey Taylor

Roman numerals or not, I certainly recognize the year I came to the party! Favorite song of 1974: Eagles, "The Best Of My Love"

Isabel Laing

M= 1000 C=100 L=50 V=5 X=10 D=50 1=1 111=3 1V= 4 V1= 6 If you put a letter in front you subtract it from the bigger number eg CM 1900 I hope this helps.