Our friend Fibonacci was quite something . Some say he was the greatest mathematician of his time . Not only did he introduce us to that extra-special Fibonacci sequence , he was also the one who popularised the Hindu-Arabic numeral system ( or those cheeky digits 0-9 , if you ’ d rather ) in the West . These numbers replaced the Roman numerals we had been using for a good 2,000 years previously .

We now know that the Hindu-Arabic system is a lot simpler for calculations . For a start , it has a zero , which helps ! Roman numerals do add a touch of je ne sais quoi to things though . Henry VIII looks much more regal than Henry 8 , who could maybe be mistaken for an AQUILA reader if the punctuation was in the right place . And who doesn ’ t love trying to work out when a TV programme was produced from the line of Roman numerals found in the credits at the end ?!

Even though we don ’ t use them for calculations any more , Roman numerals are still found in lists a lot . The Olympic games are numbered with them , book chapters are often in them , you can find them on gravestones and clocks *, and there is fun to be had in working out the Roman numeral from its Hindu-Arabic equivalent .

There are only seven symbols for the Roman numerals :

The rules for forming numbers are as follows :

1 ) A repeated symbol means you add them together . For example :

a ) XXX means 10 + 10 + 10 = 30 b ) CC means 100 + 100 = 200

You can only repeat a symbol up to three times . Only I , X , C and M ** can be repeated . V , L and D cannot be repeated .

2 ) When one or more symbols appear after a larger symbol , add on that amount . For example ,

a ) XII means 10 + 1 + 1 = 12 b ) VIII means 5 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 8 c ) DC means 500 + 100 = 600

d ) MDCLXVI means 1000 + 500 + 100 + 50 + 10 + 5 + 1 = 1666 , the year of the Great Fire of London .

3 ) If a symbol is placed before another symbol of greater value , subtract that amount . For example ,

a ) IV means 1 less than 5 = 4 b ) XCI mean 100 – 10 + 1 = 91 c ) CM means 100 less than 1000 = 900

And here are a few whoppers for you to try at home :

a ) 1984 = 1000 + 900 + 80 + 4 = ? b ) What number is DCCCLXXXIII ? c ) 388 = ?

d ) What are the Roman numerals for 2017 ?

* Some clocks with Roman numerals have IIII for 4 instead of IV , this is to balance the clock face out from a design point of view .

** Very big numbers can be expressed as Roman numerals in different ways . It is not known for sure what the Romans used for very large numbers . For example , some people will state that 6000 should be expressed as MMMMMM others will say it would have been : VI .

It ’ s a tough call , as those Ancient Romans were not very consistent with such things . The best rule is to make the number as simple as possible – i . e . using as few numerals as possible . Oh , and be thankful that fabulous Fibonacci convinced us to make the change to the 0-9 system , where there is no room for such inconsistencies !

Answers : a ) MCMLXXXIV . b ) 883 . c ) CCCLXXXVIII . d ) MMXVII

Why do people hate vacuum cleaners ? Because they suck !

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Alice-Mai , age 10

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From Leela , age 8

Knock Knock ! Who ’ s There ? Boo ! Boo who ? You don ’ t need to cry , it ’ s only a joke !

Why did the raisin go out with a prune ? Because he couldn ’ t find a date !

Holly VB , age 10

Why did Captain Hook cross the road ? To get to the second-hand shop !

Amelie G , age 11

Why can ’ t you find Pi at dinner‐time ? Because you ’ re eating it !

Jack , age 9¼

Knock Knock ! Who ’ s there ? Olive . Olive who ? Olive here , so LET ME IN !

Isla , age 8

Knock ! Knock ! Knock Knock ! Knock Knock Knock ! Knock Knock Knock Knock Knock ! Okay , Fibonacci , I ’ m coming !

Calculata , age ?!

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