1. “SECRETS OF ROMAN NUMERALS”
Roman Numerals Like all other numeral systems has 2 parts. The first is the
symbol(s) representing specific values. The second is the oral word or written text
representing that same value.
The obvious part most viewers see is the symbol part such as 1, 2, 3, 4,5,
6,7,8.9,10,11, 50,100,1,000 used in the Western Arabic Numeral system that we
use in the Western world. There are four other symbol types in the Arabic system.
In today’s busy world there are about 20 other systems including the Roman
system that is still used in many fields.
The word part is one of two hidden parts not normally considered but must
fit with the symbols for the same value and will be different in other languages
and cultures. According to most modern dogma Roman Numerals are said to have
many weaknesses that make them a dead system. For example these include: they
can’t be added; they can’t be subtracted; there are no zeros in the system. You can’t
do math with them and they are mostly useless in today’s world..
I can do addition and subtraction with them and here are some other uses
going on right in plain sight using words indicating their many uses, addition,
bible studies; books, boats, Brazil, calendars, clocks, coins, currency, copyrights,
errors, games, law, medicine, MS Word software, names of months rulers and
royalty; football Superbowl; tax forms of the IRS, religion, science, watch
numerals and the origin of the beginning of algebra. So I start with the first usage
word addition.
I. Roman Numeral (Rn.) addition.
Ia. The check for correctness of any Rn. Symbol value the value for
any set must be add up to the correct value. Examples:
I, II, III, IIII (IV a stylish substitute for IIII and IV adds up to 6.)
V, VI, VII, VIII, VIIII (IX a substitute for VIIII and IX adds up to 11.)
known symbol word
value set name in Latin
1 I unus
4 IIII quator
4 IV unuquinque wrong = 6
9 VIIII novem
9 IX unudecim wrong = 11

2. The symbols for 5 & 9 are each used 9 times in each 100 value symbols and
a 10% error rate in the Rn. System.
The 2014 Super Bowl symbols widely used by the media for Game # 48
used the symbol XLVIII that adds up to 68 (x= 10 +L=50 + VIII = 8 add up to
68). The correct symbol set is XXXXVIII THAT ADDS UP TO 48 ( XXXX=40 +
VIII = 8 ADD UP TO 48.)
Ib. I can construct any Roman Numeral for an Arabic Equivalent and add
and subtract several large and small numbers. Look at these 2 value sets as a
problem to add.
VMDCLVIIII = 5,659
CCCCXXVIII = 428
ADDING: VMDCLVIIII and CCCCXXVIII 1ST from right to left combine the I
symbols that = IIIIIII = VII and combine V symbols (2 Vs) plus the V from VII the
beginning symbols now have 3 Vs that combine to make XVII the XXXVII set in
VMDCLXXXVII . There are no L symbols to combine into a higher number
leaving VMDCLXXXVII with only CCCC to add to it.
Combing the C symbols in both sets make CCCCC =D . Next add the D’s
that make DD = to another M that adds another 1M making the new total
VIMLXXXVII = 6,087. To check the accuracy of the adding we use the
beginning values (VMDCLVIIII + CCCCXXVIII= 5,659+428 = 6,087) and
VIMLXXXVII symbols add up to 6,087. The symbols are correct, the sum of
6,087 is correct .
Author Glen Shake
Edited by Jackson Davis