It’s hard to imagine a number system which required subtraction as a decoding feature. It sounds like an unnecessary complication just to save one of two numerals, until you realize that the numerals were originally incised in stone .
Roman more useful for decoding dates and page numbers pre-1600 manuscripts. Arabic too many arcs on the penstroke to keep legible, no veritas character to left or right to clue in a mistake. Also a very good warning whether clerk isn’t dotting the “i”.
Is a little-known fact that Roman numerals aren’t really letters, or rather they didn’t start out that way. V is pretty obviously “half of a X” (or, perhaps just as valid, X can be seen as the two hands together). In Old Latin inscriptions 1,000 isn’t “M” yet but looks something like ᴄIᴐ. (The Wikipedia article on Roman Numerals also points out that D is really from something like IƆ.
pschearer Premium Member almost 4 years ago
There are II kinds of people in the world: those who know Roman numerals and those who don’t.
Gent almost 4 years ago
Thank us Indians that we saved you from em Roman numerals!
Doctor Toon almost 4 years ago
Ironic how many people are XL before they turn 40
kartis almost 4 years ago
At least his nose is not Roman.
InTraining Premium Member almost 4 years ago
so Horace hit the snooZe key…!
Zebrastripes almost 4 years ago
Thanks I could have had a V-III
VickiP123 almost 4 years ago
and for those of us who do——- life is good. (we also know cursive…go figure)
gammaguy almost 4 years ago
The numerals in several politicians “quotes” are seriously roamin’.
mistercatworks almost 4 years ago
It’s hard to imagine a number system which required subtraction as a decoding feature. It sounds like an unnecessary complication just to save one of two numerals, until you realize that the numerals were originally incised in stone .
marilynnbyerly almost 4 years ago
There is no “Z” in Roman numerals. Just saying.
bopard almost 4 years ago
Is Horace writing a book?
Roman more useful for decoding dates and page numbers pre-1600 manuscripts. Arabic too many arcs on the penstroke to keep legible, no veritas character to left or right to clue in a mistake. Also a very good warning whether clerk isn’t dotting the “i”.
Stephen Gilberg almost 4 years ago
Well, he is named after a Roman.
AndrewSihler almost 4 years ago
Is a little-known fact that Roman numerals aren’t really letters, or rather they didn’t start out that way. V is pretty obviously “half of a X” (or, perhaps just as valid, X can be seen as the two hands together). In Old Latin inscriptions 1,000 isn’t “M” yet but looks something like ᴄIᴐ. (The Wikipedia article on Roman Numerals also points out that D is really from something like IƆ.