It’s based on counting fingers. Hold up your left hand. Five fingers, right? Now trace down your thumb and up your little finger. You just made a “V,” which stands for five. Now hold up three fingers on your right hand next to your left hand. Eight fingers, right? “VIII.”Oh, X for ten? Two Vs with their points together. 5+5 = 10.
I remember the teacher giving the answer to that even though they just hinted at it without actually saying it. Back then numbers were Arabic, and the Roman Empire were more into conquering the Arabians rather than using their counting system!
I made a point of learning Roman Numerals, as I always wanted to decipher the year a Movie or Television show was produced; these were commonly shown in the credits.
Ignoring the vowels my last name is mccllvm… i assume either that was an ancestor’s slave number or their tax roll number, and it simply persisted into modern times.
Umm, I’m guessing Junior doesn’t know our numbers, e.g., “8” are Arabic, and the Roman numerals are just one number…actually very funny in a subtle way. Well done Mssrs. Samson.
oldpine52 about 2 years ago
Try doing math with them.
angelolady Premium Member about 2 years ago
They’re fun to teach. The kids really get into them. Mind you, I’m speaking of many years ago.
The dude from FL Premium Member about 2 years ago
I can see his reasoning! HEY! Where’s my beer?
Uncle Kenny about 2 years ago
It’s based on counting fingers. Hold up your left hand. Five fingers, right? Now trace down your thumb and up your little finger. You just made a “V,” which stands for five. Now hold up three fingers on your right hand next to your left hand. Eight fingers, right? “VIII.”Oh, X for ten? Two Vs with their points together. 5+5 = 10.
nosirrom about 2 years ago
Thanks to Fibonacci we don’t have to struggle with Roman numerals. It’s easier to do math when your numerals aren’t wandering off the paper.
dcdete. about 2 years ago
I remember the teacher giving the answer to that even though they just hinted at it without actually saying it. Back then numbers were Arabic, and the Roman Empire were more into conquering the Arabians rather than using their counting system!
LeftCoastKen Premium Member about 2 years ago
It gets better, Wilburforce … like, why isn’t 9 VIIII instead of IX?
bobwigg761 about 2 years ago
I made a point of learning Roman Numerals, as I always wanted to decipher the year a Movie or Television show was produced; these were commonly shown in the credits.
theincrediblebulk about 2 years ago
Ignoring the vowels my last name is mccllvm… i assume either that was an ancestor’s slave number or their tax roll number, and it simply persisted into modern times.
Chris about 2 years ago
I know, it gets too hard when thee alphabet gets mixed in math… not really the same or is it. :D
gopher gofer about 2 years ago
iv sure…
Grandma Lea about 2 years ago
Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it
Just-me about 2 years ago
Umm, I’m guessing Junior doesn’t know our numbers, e.g., “8” are Arabic, and the Roman numerals are just one number…actually very funny in a subtle way. Well done Mssrs. Samson.
Frank Burns Eats Worms about 2 years ago
III out of IV people surveyed think roman numerals should be LXXXVI’d.
mfrasca about 2 years ago
And zero placeholders!
Moonkey Premium Member about 2 years ago
Roman numerals are another thing my grandchildren will learn from me when they are old enough. Keep those brains active and curious!
raybarb44 about 2 years ago
He’s correct. That’s why we adapted Arabic numerals. However, they built fantastic structures and a great civilization using Roman numerals…..
heathcliff2 about 2 years ago
Have fun, Wilberforce.
paranormal about 2 years ago
Try binary Wilberforce…
jconnors3954 about 2 years ago
They managed quite well. Me not so much.
kathleenhicks62 about 2 years ago
Must be before numbers were invented!!!! HAH!
cuzinron47 about 2 years ago
It’s basically only useful in knowing what super bowl you’re watching.
Buckeye67 about 2 years ago
Trust me Wilberforce, Roman Numerals are not the most useless thing you are going to learn during your academic career.
Allan CB Premium Member about 2 years ago
Try writing a year out lad … like oh, 1997 … MCMXCVII
xaingo about 2 years ago
I only got up to 5 since all the Rocky movies after that stopped using them. Maybe the Creed movies will go higher.
Brent Rosenthal Premium Member about 2 years ago
Brutus should tell him that Roman numerals were invented so the NFL could use them on Super Bowls.
Chris Sherlock about 2 years ago
When in Rome…oh, wait…we’re not.
clayface9 Premium Member about 2 years ago
That’s why they changed it,
CorkLock about 2 years ago
You cannot make the unnecessary work better than the simple. Straight line is still quickest between two points. Meandering often a waste of time.
MuddyUSA Premium Member about 2 years ago
Interesting logic from the kid!
Laurie Stoker Premium Member about 2 years ago
He’s not wrong.