CAT 2003 Slot 2QA Question 49

MiscellaneousEasy
Passage / Data

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

Solution

The expression MCMXCIX is expanded as,
 
1000 + (1000 – 100) + (100 – 10) + (10 – 1)

= 1000 + 900 + 90 + 9

= 1999

Hence, option (a).

CAT 2003 Slot 2 QA Q49: The value of the numeral MCMXCIX is — Solution | TheCATExam