Math for Seniors: Challenge Your Brain!

When you have a career, especially in science, technology, engineering, or math, you use numbers and representations of numbers almost every day. This can keep your brain challenged and fresh and ready to take on difficult problems. For senior citizens, once they retire, such mathematical problems are less common and mental skills can weaken. Let's take a look at a fun math problem here with a goal of challenging our brains with some fun math!

You may have seen in the prize certificate the first, the second, and the third positions are always written using special types of numerals. You can see these numerals in your school textbooks also. Often 1 is represented by I, 2 is represented by II and the number 3 is represented by III. This new form of numerals is termed Roman numerals or Roman numbers.

Roman numbers originated in ancient Rome. Numbers in this framework are represented by combinations of letters from the Latin alphabet. Seven Latin letters are used in modern roman numbers, the letters and their values are as follows. I = 1, V = 5, X =10, L = 50, C = 100, D = 500, M = 1000. For better understanding take part in the math classes conducted by cuemath. Isn't it great to see the use of Roman numerals of the antiquated time till date?

How to Write Roman Numbers

Let me explain with an example. 58 can be written as LVIII, 99 can be written as IC. You can observe here for 58 we wrote LVIII, which means we added 50 with 5 and 3. LVIII = 50+5+3 = 58. But for 99 we wrote I back of C, which means we subtracted 1 by 100. IC = 100 - 1 = 99. These two examples showed us writing letters in successive order adds value to the first letter representing the first number. Similarly, the letter written behind a letter is subtracted by the successive letter. We can use these letters successively 3 times.

Numbers from 1 to 20 can be written as follows:

1 - I, 2 - II, 3 - III, 4 - IV, 5 - V, 6 - VI, 7 - VII, 8 - VIII, 9 - IX, 10 - X, 11 - XI, 12 - XII, 13 - XIII, 14 XIV, 15 - XV, 16 - XVI, 17 - XVII, 18 - XVIII, 19 - XIX, 20 - XX.

How to Write Bigger Numbers in Roman

Numbers greater than 100 are written in roman by putting a dash on top of the letter. The dash on the letter represents the number in 1000s.

Ex: V = 5000, X = 10,000, C = 100,1000, etc.

1886 = M + DCCC+ LXXX + VI = MDCCCLXXXVI

Because of its complexity in writing higher numbers, these are not used nowadays.

To learn more about the history of roman numbers from their invention to their current usage. Log on to math classes conducted by cuemath. Well-trained teachers will help you learn more about roman numbers.

Illustrations

Priya wants to know if it's time for her favorite cartoon show. Can you help her? The shorthand of the clock points at roman numeral VI and the long hand points at XII. What hour is it?

Solution: The shorthand of the clock is pointing VI = 6, and the long hand is pointing XII = 12.

Hence the time is 6 o'clock.

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Evaluate the following roman numerals MCXXI - LX - VII.

Solution: MCXXI = 1000+100+10+10+1 = 1121, LX = 50+10=60, VII = 5+1+1 = 7

Hence the answer is = 1121 - 60 - 7 = 1054 = MLIV.

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Find the Value of CXVI + (XVIII - X) + XXXVII.

Solution: CXVI = 100+10+6 = 116, XVIII = 10+5+3 = 18, (XVIII - X) = (18 * 10) = 8, and XXXVII = 10+10+10+5+1+1 = 37.

Hence CXVI + (XVIII - X) + XXXVII = 116+8+37 = 161 = CLXI.

Try to write Roman numerals from 1 to 100. If you find any difficulty in writing then log on to cuemath website for more detailed information or you can learn it from math classes of cuemath. Not just about roman numbers math classes help you understand complex concepts of maths in an easier way. The use of math games and innovative methods of teaching makes you feel more confident about the subject.