Roman numerals practice 11 plus: a clear guide for parents
21 October 2026
Roman numerals in the 11 plus
Roman numerals are a regular feature in 11+ maths exams. Children are often asked to read, write or work with these numbers. Practising at home helps build familiarity and confidence.
Key insight: Roman numerals are a fixed topic in 11+ maths and regular practice makes a real difference.
How Roman numerals work
Roman numerals use seven main letters: I for 1, V for 5, X for 10, L for 50, C for 100, D for 500 and M for 1,000. Numbers are built by combining these letters, following clear rules. Smaller values before larger ones mean you subtract. Otherwise, you add the values as you read from left to right.
Common examples
For example, VI is 5 + 1 = 6. IX is 10 - 1 = 9. XL is 50 - 10 = 40. Children may see Roman numerals on clocks, in book chapters, or in years such as MMXXIV for 2024.
Worked example
Convert XLII to a regular number
Step 1: Break down the numeral. XLII is made of XL and II.
Step 2: XL means 50 - 10 = 40. The X comes before the L, so you subtract 10 from 50.
Step 3: II means 1 + 1 = 2. The I's come after, so you add them.
Step 4: Add the two parts. 40 + 2 = 42.
The correct answer is 42.
Tips for home practice
Encourage your child to write out the values for each letter and practise both reading and writing Roman numerals. Spotting patterns and breaking numbers into parts helps avoid common mistakes. Short, regular practice sessions work well.
