Question

Write the following Arabic numbers as Roman numerals. $26$ ______

Short answer

26 in Roman numerals is XXVI.

Step-by-step solution

Understand Roman Numerals

Roman numerals are represented by combinations of Latin letters: I (1), V (5), X (10), L (50), C (100), D (500), and M (1000). Combinations of these letters represent other numbers.

Break Down the Number 26

The number 26 can be broken down into its components using Roman numerals. Here, 26 is composed of 20 (two tens) and 6.

Convert Tens into Roman Numerals

The number 20 is added as two tens, which is represented by 'XX' in Roman numerals, as X equals 10.

Convert Units into Roman Numerals

The number 6 is represented as 'VI' in Roman numerals. This is because V equals 5 and I equals 1 (5 + 1 = 6).

Combine the Roman Numerals Parts

Combine the numerals for tens ('XX') and units ('VI') to form the entire number: 26 as a Roman numeral is 'XXVI'.

Key concepts

Arabic Numbers

Arabic numbers are the most commonly used numeral system globally, and they are often referred to as Hindu-Arabic numerals. This system includes digits from 0 to 9, and it is widely recognized due to its simplicity in representing large numbers. Each digit has its place value, which is determined by its position.
Arabic numbers are practical because they form the foundation for most arithmetic operations. They enable us to perform calculations, manage data, and understand mathematical concepts efficiently. Without them, many technological advancements would be infeasible.

Number Conversion

Number conversion is an essential skill that involves changing numbers from one numeral system to another. It might sound challenging at first, but it's quite straightforward with a little practice.
In our exercise, we are converting the Arabic number 26 into Roman numerals. To do this, we must understand each component of the number and its equivalent in the Roman system.

• Start by breaking down the number into manageable parts, such as tens, units, etc.
• Convert each part using Roman numeral equivalents.
• Finally, combine these parts to get the full Roman numeral representation.

By following these steps, any number can be easily converted from Arabic to Roman numerals or vice versa with precision.

Latin Letters

The Roman numeral system uses Latin letters to represent numbers. These letters aren't like Arabic digits, but once you understand their values, number conversion becomes easier.
Each Latin letter used as a Roman numeral holds a specific value:

• I = 1
• V = 5
• X = 10
• L = 50
• C = 100
• D = 500
• M = 1000

These letters are combined in various ways to create larger numbers. For example, combining "X" (10) and "V" (5) gives 15. This simple but effective system requires practice to become fluent in reading and writing Roman numerals.

Numeral System

A numeral system is a writing system for expressing numbers, and each system has its unique set of symbols or rules. The Arabic numeral system and the Roman numeral system are two distinct systems that highlight different methods of representing numbers.
The Arabic system is positional and utilizes a base-10 method (decimal), making it efficient for arithmetic calculations. Conversely, the Roman numeral system is non-positional and does not use a base method but relies on combinations of Latin letters to indicate values. While the Roman numeral system is less efficient for calculations, it holds historical significance and is still used in specific contexts like clock faces and written outlines. Understanding both systems enhances one's number literacy and ability to switch between various global numeric representations easily.