How would I read a Roman Numeral such as LXII? Does the L in front make the X equal a lesser amount? We have been discussing how to read these and I can find no information about how to read an extended Roman Numeral problem. Help!!

Hi Dawn

Here is a table of the common basic symbols used for Roman numerals and their decimal equivalents.

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

Integers in Roman numerals are written using two rules. If the letter is immediately followed by one of equal or lesser value then the two values are added. If the letter is immediately followed by one of greater value then the first is subtracted from the second. So for your example LXII = 50+10+1+1=62, but XLII=50-10+1+1=42 and LXIV=50+10+5-1=64.

There is some interesting information on the origin of the letters that are used for Roman Numerals at the Math Forum. The URL is forum.swarthmore.edu/dr.math/problems/eddy6.5.97.html.

Cheers,
Harley