Roman Numerals — Answer Key
Part A: Fix the Sentence
Each sentence has an error. Rewrite it correctly on the line.
1. Fix the sentence:
MCMLXXXIV is the year 1884.
Corrected: MCMLXXXIV is the year 1984.
CM means 900 by subtractive notation, so the total is 1000 plus 900 plus 80 plus 4.
2. Fix the sentence:
Chapter VII in a book means chapter 6.
Corrected: Chapter VII in a book means chapter 7.
VII combines V (5) plus II (2) using addition, giving exactly seven.
3. Fix the sentence:
The clock numeral XII stands for 11.
Corrected: The clock numeral XII stands for 12.
XII means ten plus two, which is twelve, the top of every standard clock.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. Chapter XV in a book is chapter 15.
Adding ten and five gives fifteen, written XV in Roman numeral form.
2. The Roman numeral MMV stands for the year 2005.
MM gives 2000 and V gives 5, so MMV is the year 2005 exactly.
3. On a clock face, the number 6 is written as VI.
VI means five plus one, equal to six on every standard clock face.
4. The year MCMLXXXVIII written in digits is 1988.
Adding 1000, 900, 80, and 8 produces 1988, a year remembered for the Olympics.
Part C: Short Answer
Answer each question in one or two complete sentences.
1. A book has chapter XX. Which chapter is that?
Sample answer: It is chapter 20 because X is 10 and another X adds 10, so XX means twenty.
When equal symbols repeat, you add them, so XX equals twenty without any subtractive trick.
2. The school was founded in MCMXC. What year is that?
Sample answer: It is 1990 because M is 1000, CM is 900, and XC is 90.
CM gives 900 and XC gives 90, so the year totals 1990 in standard form.