CAT/2003

Question . 114

The seven basic symbols in a certain numeral system and their respective values are as follow :

I = 1 , V = 5 , X = 10, L = 50, C = 100, D = 500, and M = 1000

In general, the symbols in the numeral system are read from left to right, starting with the symbol representing the largest value; the same symbol cannot occur continuously more than three times; the value of the numeral is the sum of the values of the symbols. For example , XXVII = 10 + 10 + 5 + 1 + 1= 27. An exception to the left to right reading occurs when a symbol is followed immediately by a symbol of greater value; then, the smaller value is subtracted from the larger.

For example, XLVI = (50 – 10) + 5 + 1 = 46.

The value of the numeral MCMXCIX is