Roman Numerals, Do use them?

[Paladin1950]

When I first learned about them in school, it was like learning Latin almost. But I love them, and in fact, I have used them all of my life. Important numbers I have always used in Roman numerals. On my desk, I have my bank account number written in Roman Numerals. If I went to the bank for a withdrawal, I would have my account number written on a piece of paper in Roman numerals, for when I made out my withdrawal slip. Just in case there was someone else standing near by. Learning them in school seemed very complicated, but once you get used to them, their like regular numbers.

This year is MMXXIV. Numbers with 4 and 9 in them are the most complicated at first. Rule of thumb is, if the smaller number is before the larger number, you subtract: IX (1 from 10 is 9). If the larger number comes before the smaller number, you add: XI (10 plus 1 is 11)

 

[hollydolly]

yes I do quite often for various things. For example at the end of the credits of an older TV show it will show in Roman numerals when that programme was first broadcast ... ..and not because they were made in Roman times

My soon2bX.. despite being responsible for some of those programmes, he never could get the hang of knowing what year was what in RN.. so would always ask me..

 

[horseless carriage]

Roman numerals do come easy, there again, so does Latin. I learned both as a child. In the UK the emergency number is not nine eleven, it's 999. Imagine that if you had to use Roman numerals: CMXCIX.

 

[Jace]

Yes, I like and as statest @HD said
at the end credits..I 'test' myself to 'see'
if I know or can 'figure' out.
'

 

[George1959]

Roman numerals do come easy, there again, so does Latin. I learned both as a child. In the UK the emergency number is not nine eleven, it's 999. Imagine that if you had to use Roman numerals: CMXCIX.

You could use a converter too.
https://www.calculateme.com/roman-numerals/to-roman/999

 

[Flarbalard]

Roman numerals do come easy, there again, so does Latin. I learned both as a child. In the UK the emergency number is not nine eleven, it's 999. Imagine that if you had to use Roman numerals: CMXCIX.

Why wouldn't it be IM ?

 

[hollydolly]

Why wouldn't it be IM ?

..because...

999 cannot be IM and 1999 cannot be MIM. A consequence of this strict place rule is that an I can only be used to the left of a V or an X; an X can only be used to the left of an L or a C. And a C can only be used to the left of a D or an M.
Roman numerals

 

[oldman]

Occasionally, when needed.

 

[Flarbalard]

..because...

999 cannot be IM and 1999 cannot be MIM. A consequence of this strict place rule is that an I can only be used to the left of a V or an X; an X can only be used to the left of an L or a C. And a C can only be used to the left of a D or an M.
Roman numerals

Thanks, I don't remember the rules for it. Can't say for certain I ever actually knew them.

I really don't have any use for them myself. Probably why the Romans never made it to the moon.

 

[Benjamin_24]

When I first learned about them in school, it was like learning Latin almost. But I love them, and in fact, I have used them all of my life. Important numbers I have always used in Roman numerals. On my desk, I have my bank account number written in Roman Numerals. If I went to the bank for a withdrawal, I would have my account number written on a piece of paper in Roman numerals, for when I made out my withdrawal slip. Just in case there was someone else standing near by. Learning them in school seemed very complicated, but once you get used to them, their like regular numbers.

This year is MMXXIV. Numbers with 4 and 9 in them are the most complicated at first. Rule of thumb is, if the smaller number is before the larger number, you subtract: IX (1 from 10 is 9). If the larger number comes before the smaller number, you add: XI (10 plus 1 is 11)

It's fascinating how Roman numerals have become such a personal and practical part of your life!
They do have a timeless charm once you get the hang of them. MMXXIV for 2024 and the subtraction and addition rules make sense once you get used to them.
It's neat that you use them for important numbers like your bank account for added security.

 

[Tommy]

Once knew a fellow who had the same name as his father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He was "John Doe IV". Went by the nickname "Ivy".

 

[Brookswood]

I solve Calculus problems using Roman Numerals. After all the Romans built amazing engineering marvels using them.

 

[horseless carriage]

The Roman Pont du Gard aquaduct. Originally the three levels comprised of LXIV arches but XII haven't survived the years so now it only has LII.

 

[Brookswood]

View attachment 352260
The Roman Pont du Gard aquaduct. Originally the three levels comprised of LXIV arches but XII haven't survived the years so now it only has LII.

And as I understand it there is no mortar holding the stones together.

 

[Naturally]

I use an easier counting system than Roman Numerals
... and an easier measuring system than metric
I have NO idea how many kilometers are in a quart
Could be LMXIVCC ... dunno

 

[hollydolly]

Once knew a fellow who had the same name as his father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He was "John Doe IV". Went by the nickname "Ivy".

that's very common here.. or at least when i was growing up. So many boys ( including my own grandfather, father, brother and his son my eldest nephew) have the same name...

 

[January]

I only use roman numerals if I am tallying something up, using multiples of 5.

 

[Tommy]

that's very common here.. or at least when i was growing up. So many boys ( including my own grandfather, father, brother and his son my eldest nephew) have the same name...

But do they turn their "number" into a nickname? E.g. IV = Ivy

 

[jujube]

I've never understood why some clocks use IIII to indicate 4 o'clock instead of IV. Is there a different rule for clocks?

 

[horseless carriage]

I use an easier counting system than Roman Numerals
... and an easier measuring system than metric
I have NO idea how many kilometers are in a quart
Could be LMXIVCC ... dunno

Metric should be easy, everything is in multiples of ten. Imperial, with it's twelve inches to a foot, three feet to a yard, seems like the perfect gobble-de-gook. Yet I just cannot take to metric, especially when it's forced fed to us by organisations like the BBC. Our road distances though, are still depicted in miles and the count down markers when leaving a motorway, are in yards, not meters. A small victory that makes me smile.