The Romans used letters to represent a given quantity, but just how did they combine the letters and in what order? Are there any rules to their use? In this section you will explore several websites that will discuss how to calculate Roman Numerals, use Roman Numeral/Arabic Numeral converter, and translate numbers from Roman Numerals to Arabic and vice versa. Turn to section II. How to Calculate Roman Numerals in your activity guide and use the links below to complete the activities and answer the questions.

Questions:

• What are the two main rules for reading and writing Roman Numerals?
  Auburn University: Roman Numerals
  
  
• Are there other rules? [Hint: the answer is yes--your job is to try and explain them.]
  Mr. Seitz's How Roman Numerals Work --scroll down for "The Rules"
  

Activities:

• Explore this Roman Numeral Converter. Try out some numbers.
  
  
• Transcribe the Arabic numbers into Roman Numerals.
  
  
• Transcribe the Roman Numerals into Arabic numbers.
  
  
• If you really feel like you have the hang of it, try out this quiz. How well did you do? If your really, really good at it, try this quiz--its much harder! You have to scroll down, its on the bottom right--Roman Numerals Test: Can you score X out of X? Give it a try!

When you are finished go on to III. Addition.