Roman Numerals in Real Life

P6 Mathematics - Term I, Topic 2

Lesson 5 of 5

Learning Objectives:

• Read Roman numerals up to 1000 (M) in various contexts
• Write years in Roman numerals
• Identify where Roman numerals are used in everyday life

Quick Review

The Seven Roman Numeral Symbols

Remember the rules:

• Addition Rule: VI = 5 + 1 = 6
• Subtraction Rule: IV = 5 - 1 = 4

Where Do We See Roman Numerals?

Real-Life Uses

• Clock faces - Hours I to XII
• Book chapters - Chapter I, II, III
• Movie copyright dates - MMXXIII (2023)
• Building foundations - Year built
• Outlines and lists - I, II, III
• Names - King Henry VIII

Reading Clock Faces

Common Clock Hours

Note: Some clocks show IIII instead of IV (traditional style)

Numbers 1-100 in Roman Numerals

Building Larger Numbers

Combining Values

Examples with Tens and Ones

47 = XLVII

• XL = 40
• VII = 7
• Total: 40 + 7 = 47

89 = LXXXIX

• LXXX = 80
• IX = 9
• Total: 80 + 9 = 89

99 = XCIX

• XC = 90
• IX = 9
• Total: 90 + 9 = 99

Practice: Convert to Roman Numerals

Try These

1. 25 = ?
2. 44 = ?
3. 67 = ?
4. 91 = ?

Practice: Answers

Solutions

1. 25 = XXV (20 + 5)
2. 44 = XLIV (40 + 4)
3. 67 = LXVII (60 + 7)
4. 91 = XCI (90 + 1)

Writing Years: Key Values

Building Blocks for Years

Example: The Year 1999

MCMXCIX

Breaking it down:

• M = 1000
• CM = 900
• XC = 90
• IX = 9

Total: 1000 + 900 + 90 + 9 = 1999

The Current Year: 2025

MMXXV

Breaking it down:

• MM = 2000 (two thousands)
• XX = 20 (two tens)
• V = 5

Total: 2000 + 20 + 5 = 2025

Practice: Writing Years

Convert These Years

1. 2013 = ? (Birth year example)
2. 1990 = ?
3. 2024 = ?

Practice: Answers

Solutions

1. 2013 = MMXIII

   • MM = 2000, X = 10, III = 3

2. 1990 = MCMXC

   • M = 1000, CM = 900, XC = 90

3. 2024 = MMXXIV

   • MM = 2000, XX = 20, IV = 4

Important Dates in Uganda

Uganda's Independence Year

1962 = MCMLXII

• M = 1000
• CM = 900
• LX = 60
• II = 2

Total: 1000 + 900 + 60 + 2 = 1962

Practice: Reading Years

Convert to Hindu-Arabic Numbers

1. MCMXCII = ?
2. MMXX = ?
3. MCMLXXV = ?

Practice: Answers

Solutions

1. MCMXCII = 1992

   • M=1000, CM=900, XC=90, II=2

2. MMXX = 2020

   • MM=2000, XX=20

3. MCMLXXV = 1975

   • M=1000, CM=900, LXX=70, V=5

Your Birth Year Challenge!

Write YOUR birth year in Roman numerals

Example: If you were born in 2013:

• 2013 = MMXIII

Steps:

1. Start with thousands (MM = 2000)
2. Add hundreds (if any)
3. Add tens
4. Add ones

Real-Life Examples

Where You'll Find Roman Numerals

Topic 2 Summary

What We Learned About Whole Numbers

Key Achievement!

You Can Now:

• Read and write numbers up to 9,999,999 in Hindu-Arabic numerals
• Read and write numbers up to 1000 in Roman numerals
• Convert between both number systems
• Find Roman numerals in everyday life!

Quick Assessment

Answer These Questions

1. What hour does IX represent on a clock?
2. Write 75 in Roman numerals.
3. Write 2025 in Roman numerals.
4. What year is MCMXCII?
5. Give two real-life examples of where Roman numerals are used.

Assessment Answers

1. 9 o'clock
2. LXXV (50 + 10 + 10 + 5)
3. MMXXV (2000 + 20 + 5)
4. 1992 (1000 + 900 + 90 + 2)
5. Clocks, book chapters, movie dates, building foundations, outlines, etc.

Coming Next!

Topic 3: Operations on Whole Numbers

• Addition of large numbers
• Subtraction of large numbers
• Multiplication
• Division
• Mixed operations

Get ready to calculate with numbers up to 9,999,999!

Homework

1. Draw a clock face with Roman numerals (I-XII)

2. Convert to Roman numerals: 25, 49, 88, 150, your birth year

3. Convert to Hindu-Arabic: XLIV, LXXVII, XCVI, MCMLXII, MMXXV

4. Find 3 real-life examples of Roman numerals

Great Work!

You've completed Topic 2: Whole Numbers!

Remember:

• Roman numerals are still used today
• Practice reading them on clocks and in books
• You can now work with numbers up to millions!

Next lesson: Topic 3 - Operations on Whole Numbers