Super Bowl LIX: How to read Roman numerals ahead of NFL American football
We may be at the 59th (LIX) Super Bowl but many are still oblivious to the bunch of apparent letters that change every year. So here is how to read Roman numerals.
What are Roman numerals?
Roman numerals are, shock horror, symbols that represent numbers based on the ancient Roman system.
Alphabet symbols are used to represent numbers from 1 to 1000 with an accumulation of numbers used to form any figure.
For example, 1 = I, 2 = II and 3 = III. But 5 = V, meaning 4 = IV (which translates to 1 less than five).
This system of adding and subtracting numbers is why the Super Bowl number sometimes has an X (10) in it, including this year, and why it never used to have an L but will do for the next 30 years.
What do all of the numbers look like?
- I = 1
- V = 5
- X = 10
- L = 50
- C = 100
- D = 500
- M = 1,000
If a numeral is placed after one of greater significance, it adds value. If a numeral is placed before one of greater significance, it subtracts value. The Super Bowl follows this process. For example:
LI = 51 (50 plus one)
XLIX = 49 because 10 (X) less than 50 (L) = 40 (XL) , 1 (I) less than 10 (X) = 9 (IX)
How to read this year’s Super Bowl number?
This year’s Super Bowl numerals are LIX.
L equals 50 while I equals one, and X equals 10.
So written down it reads 50 (L) 9 (IX, or 10 minus one). Together? 59.
See, it’s not that difficult!
What are the next 10 numerals going to look like?
Super Bowl 59 may look like LIX but here’s how the next couple will look:
- 60 = LX
- 61 = LXI
- 62 = LXII
- 63 = LXIII
- 64 = LXIV
- 65 = LXV
- 66 = LXVI
- 67 = LXVII
- 68 = LXVIII
So there you have it. When this year’s Super Bowl LVIII is on you’ll know exactly what you’re talking about when it comes to the Roman numerals after the title. You’re welcome.