Convert Roman numerals to Arabic numerals

4th grade (ages 9–10) - 5th grade (ages 10–11)

Place value exercise for 4th and 5th grade: convert Roman numerals to Arabic numerals.

Learn to convert Roman numerals to Arabic numerals with this 4th and 5th grade game: addition, subtraction and breaking numbers down.

10 questions

Loading the game…

Teaching documentation of the game “Convert Roman numerals to Arabic numerals – 4th and 5th grade”

About this game

Place value game to learn to convert Roman numerals to Arabic numerals. 4th and 5th graders decode the symbols I, V, X, L, C, D and M step by step, then work out the value of Roman numbers with addition and subtraction.

How do you convert Roman numerals to Arabic numerals?

Roman numerals use symbols such as I, V, X, L, C, D and M. Each symbol has its own value.

To convert a Roman number to Arabic numerals, start by finding the value of each symbol. Then look at where they are placed.

  1. When the values go down or stay the same from left to right, you add them. For example, VII breaks down like this: V = 5, I = 1 and I = 1. So you get 5 + 1 + 1 = 7.
  2. When a smaller symbol is placed before a larger one, you subtract. For example, XL means 50 – 10 = 40.
  3. Then you just put the parts together. So XLVII = XL + VII = 40 + 7 = 47.

Tips for working out a Roman numeral

To convert Roman numerals to Arabic numerals easily, go step by step. Don’t try to work out the whole number at once.

  1. Find each Roman symbol and remember its value.
  2. Check whether a small symbol is placed before a larger one.
  3. If the small symbol comes before the large one, subtract its value.
  4. If the values go down or stay the same, add them.
  5. Break the tricky groups down before you work out the final result.

For example, for XLVII, split the number into two parts: XL and VII.

XL = 50 – 10 = 40 and VII = 5 + 1 + 1 = 7.

Then all you have to do is add the two results: 40 + 7 = 47.

With this method, you can convert more and more complex Roman numbers step by step without getting lost in the symbols.

Exercise preview

From Roman numerals to Arabic numerals – dffl0l

What number does “LXIV” stand for?

Possible answers:

  • 64

From Roman numerals to Arabic numerals – m3y8vp

What number does “LXVII” stand for?

Possible answers:

  • 67

From Roman numerals to Arabic numerals – px84kj

What number does “XCIV” stand for?

Possible answers:

  • 94