Roman Quest

What your child will figure out

• Recall the values of I, V, X, L, C, D, and M.
• Convert additive Roman numerals to Arabic values by combining every symbol value.
• Use the subtractive rule in forms such as IV and IX instead of adding every symbol.
• Build canonical Roman numerals across ones, tens, hundreds, and thousands, then continue with varied adaptive conversions.

The levels

1. Meet the symbols

   Predict V's value, observe its fixed value, and explain that a Roman symbol always carries the same amount.

2. March and add

   Read VIII as 5 + 1 + 1 + 1 and explain why additive order makes eight.

3. The sneaky I

   Contrast IX with 11, observe the smaller-before-larger relationship, and explain the subtractive rule.

4. Raise the gate

   Transfer both rules by building the canonical Roman numeral XIV for a new Arabic target.

5. The long march

   Extend additive reading across repeated tens, a five, and ones in XXVII.

6. Before the fifty

   Scale the subtractive rule from ones to tens by interpreting XL as 50 − 10.

7. Two hidden fours

   Build a canonical numeral containing subtraction in both the tens and ones places.

8. Double subtraction

   Chunk XCIX into two subtractive pairs and combine 90 with 9.

9. The centurion's tally

   Read a longer descending additive numeral using C, L, X, V, and I.

10. The triple gate

    Build 444 canonically with subtraction in the hundreds, tens, and ones places.

11. At the edge of a thousand

    Coordinate hundreds, tens, and ones subtraction by decoding CMXCIX.

12. Seal the imperial archive

    Transfer the full system by building a four-digit canonical numeral with thousands, tens, and subtraction.