CAT 2003 Slot 2 — QA Question 49
Answer the following question based on the information given below.
The seven basic symbols in a certain numeral system and their respective values are as follows:
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
Answer & solution
1999
- B
1899
- C
1989
- D
1889
The expression MCMXCIX is expanded as,
1000 + (1000 – 100) + (100 – 10) + (10 – 1)
= 1000 + 900 + 90 + 9
= 1999
Hence, option (a).