Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: 1000
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
Roman numerals are a numeral system that originated in ancient Rome and are still used today on clock faces, chapter numbers, and important documents. Exam questions commonly ask for the values represented by key Roman numeral symbols. Here, you are asked to identify the value of the symbol M, which is one of the primary numerals used for larger numbers.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
Roman numerals assign specific values to certain letters: I equals 1, V equals 5, X equals 10, L equals 50, C equals 100, D equals 500, and M equals 1000. Using this mapping, we see that M stands for 1000. The trick is to remember the basic set of numerals and their values, which allows you to eliminate incorrect options quickly.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the standard Roman numeral chart: I is 1, V is 5, X is 10, L is 50, C is 100, D is 500, and M is 1000.
Step 2: Compare the given options with this chart.
Step 3: See that 1 corresponds to I, 50 corresponds to L, and 500 corresponds to D, not M.
Step 4: M is identified with 1000 in the standard Roman numeral system.
Step 5: Choose 1000 as the correct answer.
Verification / Alternative check:
Any school mathematics textbook or reliable reference on Roman numerals will confirm that M is the symbol for 1000. Roman dates and monuments often use M to denote thousands in year numbers, for example MCMLXXX stands for 1980, where M is used for 1000.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
- 1: Represented by I, not by M.
- 50: Represented by L, not by M.
- 500: Represented by D, not by M.
Common Pitfalls:
Sometimes students mix up D and M because both are used for large values. Confusing 500 with 1000 can lead to a wrong answer. To avoid this, memorise a simple sequence of Roman numerals and their values and practise writing a few numbers in Roman form. This makes recall during exams much easier.
Final Answer:
In Roman numerals, the letter M represents the value 1000.
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