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What is the Roman numeral for 9?
A. IX
B. XI
C. VIIII
D. VX
Correct Answer Is Option = IX
Notes / Explanation
The Roman numeral for the number nine is written as IX, and this is a good example of the subtraction rule used in the ancient Roman system of writing numbers. In the Roman system, certain letters stand for particular values, with a letter for one and a letter for ten among the basic letters, and numbers are written by combining these letters according to fixed rules of addition and subtraction. Generally, when a letter of smaller value is placed after a letter of larger or equal value, the values are added together, but when a letter of smaller value is placed before a letter of larger value, the smaller value is subtracted from the larger. The number nine is written using this subtraction rule, by placing the letter for one before the letter for ten, so that the one is subtracted from the ten, giving ten minus one, which is nine, and this is written as IX. This is the correct and compact form according to the rules of the system, rather than writing the letter for one nine times or the letter for five followed by the letter for one four times. The number eight, by contrast, is written by placing the letter for one after the letter for five three times, so that they are added, but for nine the subtraction rule is used with the letter for ten. The subtraction rule is used in a number of cases in the Roman system to avoid repeating a letter too many times, and it applies to particular combinations, such as placing the letter for one before the letter for five to make four, or before the letter for ten to make nine, and similarly placing the letter for ten before the letter for fifty to make forty, or before the letter for one hundred to make ninety. Understanding this rule is important for reading and writing Roman numerals correctly. The Roman numerals survive in many uses today, such as on clocks, in the names of rulers and popes, in the numbering of chapters and events, and in dates on buildings. Knowing the basic letters and the rules for combining them, including the subtraction rule, makes it possible to read and write Roman numerals. For PPSC and other competitive examinations, the key points to remember are that the Roman numeral for nine is IX, that this uses the subtraction rule by placing the letter for one before the letter for ten so that one is subtracted from ten, that this is the correct compact form, and that the subtraction rule applies to particular combinations such as four, nine, forty and ninety.
