• Let's learn with an example:

• XC + MCMLIII + CCXIX - MCCXLVIII - XC = ?

• The Romans did not have the Hindu-Arabic numbers. So we will solve out this operation exactly the way the Romans were calculating it, without using the Hindu-Arabic numbers.

1. Cancel the numerals having the same value but different signs.

• The matching numerals / symbols are colored the same.
• XC + MCMLIII + CCXIX - MCCXLVIII - XC = MCMLIII + CCXIX - MCCXLVIII;

2. Cross out the common symbols in the numerals of different signs.

• The matching numerals / symbols are colored the same.
• MCMLIII + CCXIX - MCCXLVIII = CML + XIX - XLV;

When crossing out,
do not mix the symbols in subtractive and additive groups.

• For example, the numerals XI and IV:
• XI is a group in additive notation - the largest symbol is to the left, down to the smallest to the right - to calculate the value of the group simply add up the values of the symbols in the group: XI = X + I = 10 + 1 = 11
• IV is a group in subtractive notation - a smaller symbol precedes a larger one - to calculate the value of the group subtract the value of the first symbol from the value of the second: IV = V - I = 5 - 1 = 4
• When subtracting the two numerals, XI - IV = (uncompact the subtractive) XI - IIII = X - III = VIIIII - III = VII (= 7), CORRECT.
  But if you cross out the common symbol regardless of the fact that it is part of a subtractive group: XI - IV = X - V = VV - V = V (= 5), WRONG.

3. Replace the groups in subtractive notation.

• Replace any groups in subtractive notation in the roman numerals; that is, "uncompact" them using only the additive notation.
• A group in subtractive notation = a group of two numerals, one of a lower value preceding another of larger value, the only allowed ones are: IV, IX, XL, XC, CD, CM, M(V), M(X), (X)(L), (X)(C), (C)(D), (C)(M) - to calculate the value of the group subtract the value of the first symbol from the value of the second.
• A group in additive notation = a group of two or more numerals, of equal value or sorted in descending order of their value, from high to low, the largest symbol to the left, down to the smallest to the right - to calculate the value of the group add up the values of all the symbols.
• CML: CM = M - C = D CCCCC - C = D CCCC = DCCCC; CML = DCCCCL;
• XIX: IX = X - I = V IIIII - I = V IIII = VIIII; XIX = XVIIII;
• XLV: XL = L - X = XXXXX - X = XXXX; XLV = XXXXV;

4. Put the Roman numerals of the same sign together.

• Catenate the positive numerals together.
• DCCCCL + XVIIII = DCCCCLXVIIII;

5. Cross out (remove) any symbols occurring in both strings.

• DCCCCLXVIIII - XXXXV = DCCCCLIIII - XXX;

6. Using the additive notation, convert larger symbols to smaller ones and cross out the common symbols.

• The larger symbol that will be converted to additive notation: L = XXXXX;
• DCCCCLIIII - XXX = DCCCCXXXXXIIII - XXX = DCCCCXXIIII;

7. Rewrite the symbols written in excessive additive notation by using the subtractive notation.

• The numeral C should not repeat itself more than 3 times in a row, rewrite:
• DCCCCXXIIII = CMXXIIII;
• The numeral I should not repeat itself more than 3 times in a row, rewrite:
• CMXXIIII = CMXXIV

The final answer:

• XC + MCMLIII + CCXIX - MCCXLVIII - XC = CMXXIV ( = 924).

• 90 + 1,953 + 219 - 1,248 - 90 = 924
  The Romans did not have the Hindu-Arabic numbers.

I. Addition. Learn by an example how to add the Roman numerals the right way, like the Romans were calculating, without the use of the Hindu-Arabic numbers. Steps, explanations

II. Subtraction. Learn by an example how to subtract the Roman numerals the right way, like the Romans were calculating, without the use of the Hindu-Arabic numbers. Steps, explanations

III. Addition and subtraction. Learn by an example how to add and subtract the Roman numerals the right way, like the Romans were calculating, without the use of the Hindu-Arabic numbers. Steps, explanations

I. The set of the basic symbols of the Roman numerals

II. The rule of the repetition of the Roman numerals

III. The groups of the Roman numerals written in subtractive notation

IV. The additive notation of the Roman numerals

How to convert the Hindu-Arabic numbers to Roman numerals: breaking down the numbers into place value subgroups

Examples of converting Hindu-Arabic numbers to Roman numerals

The list of the first 100 Roman numerals: the Roman numerals from 1 to 100

The list of the first 1,000 Roman numerals: the Roman numerals from 1 to 1,000