Question

Write the following Arabic numbers as Roman numerals. \(18\) ______

Short answer

The number 18 in Roman numerals is XVIII.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Roman Numeral Symbols

Roman numerals use letters to represent certain values: I (1), V (5), X (10), L (50), C (100), D (500), and M (1000). Combinations of these letters make up other numbers.

Break Down 18 into Combinations of Roman Numerals

The number 18 can be broken down into 10 (X) and 8. To accomplish this, 8 can be further broken down as 5 (V) + 3 (III). So, 18 = 10 + 5 + 3.

Combine the Symbols to Form the Roman Numeral

Write 10 as X, 5 as V, and 3 as III. Combine them in descending order to form the final numeral: 18 in Roman numerals is XVIII.

Key concepts

Arabic numbers to Roman numerals

Converting Arabic numbers to Roman numerals is a key aspect of understanding ancient numbering systems. The primary goal is to translate a given number, such as 18, into its Roman numeral form. This process involves understanding which symbols represent numbers and how they combine to express various values.

Arabic numbers, which are primarily based on the digits from 0 to 9, are straightforward to use and understand due to their base-10 structure. Roman numerals, however, use letters from the Latin alphabet linked to different values. By learning how to convert numbers like 18 into Roman numerals, we not only gain insight into a historical numbering method but also enhance our mathematical skills.

understanding Roman numeral symbols

Roman numeral symbols are at the heart of this conversion process. To convert a number like 18 effectively, a solid understanding of these symbols is essential. The basic Roman numerals include:

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

Combining these symbols in various ways leads to different numbers.
For instance, to express the number 18, you start with X for 10 and add V for 5, then III for 3, resulting in XVIII. Understanding these symbols will provide you with the tools to both read and write numbers traditionally used by the Romans.

step-by-step conversion

Step-by-step conversion from Arabic numbers to Roman numerals ensures accuracy and deepens comprehension. Let's walk through how we convert the number 18.

**Step 1:** Identify the main components of 18 that match with Roman numeral symbols. We observe that 18 is composed of 10 and 8.
**Step 2:** Break these numbers down further. The number 10 directly correlates to X. The number 8 can be decomposed into 5 and 3, which are represented as V and III respectively.
**Step 3:** Combine these components starting with the largest value. Arrange the symbols in descending order, leading to the combination X (10) + V (5) + III (3), forming XVIII.
This methodical approach ensures each step is followed precisely, helping reduce errors and enhance understanding.