Roman Numerals — Answer Key
Part A: Fix the Sentence
Each sentence has an error. Rewrite it correctly on the line.
1. Fix the sentence:
The year MCMLXXVI equals 1966.
Corrected: The year MCMLXXVI equals 1976.
M is 1000, CM is 900, LXX is 70, and VI is 6, totaling 1976.
2. Fix the sentence:
On many clock faces, 9 is written as VIII.
Corrected: On many clock faces, 9 is written as IX.
Standard Roman writing uses IX for 9 because I before X subtracts one from ten.
3. Fix the sentence:
MMXX stands for the year 2200.
Corrected: MMXX stands for the year 2020.
MM equals 2000 and XX equals 20, so MMXX is 2020, not 2200.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. The Roman numeral MCMLXXVI written as a number is 1976.
Adding 1000 plus 900 plus 70 plus 6 gives 1976, a famous Bicentennial year.
2. On a clock face, the 3 is shown as III.
Three I symbols placed together represent the number three on traditional clock faces.
3. MMXX written as a number equals 2020.
Two M's give 2000 and two X's give 20, so MMXX equals 2020.
4. If a book chapter is labeled IX, that means chapter 9.
IX uses subtractive notation, where ten minus one equals nine in chapter numbers.
Part C: Short Answer
Answer each question in one or two complete sentences.
1. Maya's clock shows the number IV. What number does that mark?
Sample answer: The number is 4 because I before V means subtract one from five.
The subtractive rule says a smaller value before a larger one is subtracted, so IV equals 4.
2. The film was released in MCMXCIX. Which year is that?
Sample answer: It was 1999 because M is 1000, CM is 900, XC is 90, and IX is 9.
Adding 1000, 900, 90, and 9 gives 1999, a common end-of-century year.