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Is it possible to write the number zero (0) in Roman numerals, and if so, how?

Question #62622. Asked by helenasykes.
Last updated Aug 22 2016.

Related Trivia Topics: History  
mementoflash
Answer has 23 votes
Currently Best Answer
mementoflash

Answer has 23 votes.

Currently voted the best answer.
And where is the sign for the Roman zero? There is none, because there is no need for zero.

link http://www.mathematische-basteleien.de/romannumerals.htm

Feb 17 2006, 6:49 AM
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Baloo55th
Answer has 18 votes
Baloo55th
22 year member
4545 replies avatar

Answer has 18 votes.
Roman numerals are not positional, so there is no actual need for a zero. In the system we use at present, we have 10 digits whose value at any time depends on the position they are in in the number - 1046 is quite different to 6401. In Roman numerals, MXXXXVI is the same as IXXXXMV. The first one is the usual way of writing it. However, in later times of Rome, a slightly positional system was used. MXXXXVI would be written MXLVI which can't be rearranged. Whichever way you write the Roman numbers, addition and subtraction are not too hard - you just collect like terms and count them up or cancel them out (making allowance for things like XL, of course. Division and multiplication are far harder. Decimals are impossible, and fractions difficult. Without the 0, a true positional system is not possible. You need to know that there aren't any hundreds in 1046. In the Roman system, you just didn't worry.

Feb 17 2006, 3:33 PM
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