Author Topic: Roman Numerals (Read 3431 times)

Ben · « **on:** October 05, 2014, 12:15:44 PM »

Can you read them? I saw this URL via Gentlemint on how to read them. I've been able to read them as long as I can remember, but the link got me to thinking that not that many people I'm acquainted with know how to do so. It's not even an age thing. Most people my own age that I know can't read them. I can't even recall how I learned them. I don't remember learning them in any Catholic church related stuff when I was a kid. The only thing I can think of is I must have seen them in a book preface or something when I was a kid, wanted to know what they meant, looked them up in the encyclopedia, and then just have always remembered how to read the symbols.

http://www.artofmanliness.com/2014/08/27/even-when-not-in-romeyou-should-know-your-roman-numerals/

BobR · « **Reply #1 on:** October 05, 2014, 12:20:48 PM »

I am like you, I have no idea why or where I learned how to decipher Roman numerals but it is stuck in my head. About the only time I find it useful is deciphering when early cartoons or movies were made. The copyright on them are always in Roman numerals.

bob

TommyGunn · « **Reply #2 on:** October 05, 2014, 12:22:34 PM »

Like BobR I once knew them, as I was used to deciphering the copyrights on Hollywood films and TV shows.
It isn't actually all that hard but you do lose track if you don't keep practicing it.

Boomhauer · « **Reply #3 on:** October 05, 2014, 12:24:00 PM »

For the most part, I can read them. Learned in elementary school, actually.

Very seldom do I actually see them, though.

RoadKingLarry · « **Reply #4 on:** October 05, 2014, 12:27:16 PM »

I seem to remember learning them in school, short section in a math class I think.

Triphammer · « **Reply #5 on:** October 05, 2014, 01:14:42 PM »

I, too, learned them in grade school. I remember a full chapter though, not a short section. It seemed important at the time, but it was a Catholic school. That may have had something to do with it..

lee n. field · « **Reply #6 on:** October 05, 2014, 01:25:24 PM »

learned in grade school.

Scout26 · « **Reply #7 on:** October 05, 2014, 01:26:20 PM »

Same here. Learned in schrewl (4th or 5th IIRCh), spent a chapter/week or more on them. Doing arithmetic with them. Fun stuff.

Don't see them very much anymore.

French G. · « **Reply #8 on:** October 05, 2014, 02:30:17 PM »

MCMXI Coming soon to a license plate near you.

Perd Hapley · « **Reply #9 on:** October 05, 2014, 02:44:40 PM »

Quote from: French G. on October 05, 2014, 02:30:17 PM

MCMXI Coming soon to a license plate near you.

Coool.

I don't remember when I learned them, and haven't ever learned about the multiplication bars, before.

Fly320s · « **Reply #10 on:** October 05, 2014, 02:57:12 PM »

Quote from: Boomhauer on October 05, 2014, 12:24:00 PM

For the most part, I can read them. Learned in elementary school, actually.

Very seldom do I actually see them, though.

Same here.

230RN · « **Reply #11 on:** October 05, 2014, 03:01:31 PM »

Learned them in grade school, about an hour's learning session and an hour's practice. Didn't really forget them but about a month ago realized I had a significant Roman numeral on my license plate.

I guess for a zero, you just use " "...

Mull, mull, think, think....

"How many .38 caliber revolvers do you own?"

"I dunno, maybe III or IV. VI if you count my II IXmms as XXXVIIIs."

"OK, just wondered. How many fifty-caliber machine guns do you own?"

" ."

Terry

dogmush · « **Reply #12 on:** October 05, 2014, 03:05:33 PM »

I also learned in elementary school. III or IV grade IIRC.

230RN · « **Reply #13 on:** October 05, 2014, 03:12:09 PM »

^

So Kindergarten would have been th Grade?

Tallpine · « **Reply #14 on:** October 05, 2014, 03:32:26 PM »

I learned them a long time ago in grade school but I'm fuzzy on the larger numbers now.

Neemi · « **Reply #15 on:** October 05, 2014, 03:43:51 PM »

My favorite is when coworkers get all excited about the Superbowl, then complain about how the shirts have the wrong sizes (followed by a bunch of random letters, no less!) listed on front...

Ben · « **Reply #16 on:** October 05, 2014, 04:14:28 PM »

Quote from: fistful on October 05, 2014, 02:44:40 PM

I don't remember when I learned them, and haven't ever learned about the multiplication bars, before.

Same. The multiplication bar was either something new, or something I forgot.

Perd Hapley · « **Reply #17 on:** October 05, 2014, 06:35:43 PM »

Roman numerals are much more common than some might think. Every time you read about someone named after his father and grandfather, for instance. And many films have "II" in the title, and the names of some new and improved products.

230RN · « **Reply #18 on:** October 05, 2014, 08:25:14 PM »

Yeah, like Ruger .22 pistols and Enfield rifles.

I named one of my sons after my brother. He can legitimately use II after his name, but of course he can't use "Jr."

Fly320s · « **Reply #19 on:** October 05, 2014, 08:28:56 PM »

Quote from: 230RN on October 05, 2014, 08:25:14 PM

I named one of my sons after my brother. I found out that he can legitimately use II after his name, but of course he can't use "Jr."

Or maybe he can.

MechAg94 · « **Reply #20 on:** October 05, 2014, 09:59:27 PM »

I can't recall the multiplier bars either. However, it is hard for me to believe someone not only can't read Roman numerals, but doesn't at least recognize what they are.

Of course, I was surprised some people couldn't read cursive writing either. I would be less surprised if they just told me they couldn't read at all.

Perd Hapley · « **Reply #21 on:** October 05, 2014, 11:29:13 PM »

I hear tell there was once a talking head on the teevee that referred to one of Paul's letters as "Eleven Corinthians."

Tallpine · « **Reply #22 on:** October 06, 2014, 01:05:34 AM »

Quote from: fistful on October 05, 2014, 11:29:13 PM

I hear tell there was once a talking head on the teevee that referred to one of Paul's letters as "Eleven Corinthians."

Or it could be binary (three)

saltydog452 · « **Reply #23 on:** October 06, 2014, 11:34:47 AM »

It is 'learning' which is a verb that is, supposedly, automatically absorbed by a disenterested audience by habitual repetition.

If IIXXVVI reads 1956 (?), and the Engineering Legions used that numbering system for division and multiplication, it is amazing that they were able to engineer and then build the things that they did.

salty

Triphammer · « **Reply #24 on:** October 06, 2014, 12:04:24 PM »

Shouldn't that be IIXXLVI?

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Author Topic: Roman Numerals (Read 3431 times)