14 in Roman Numerals

The number 14 in Roman notation is XIV. This is an excellent example that demonstrates both the subtraction and addition rules working together in the Roman numeral system.

Number 14 written in Roman numerals as XIV

How do we write the number 14 in Roman numerals?

Fourteen in Roman notation (XIV) consists of three symbols and combines two principles of the Roman system:

Breaking down XIV:

= 10

ten

= 4

subtraction: 5-1

XIV

= 14

Step-by-Step Breakdown:

X = 10 (the symbol for ten)

IV = 4 (I before V means subtraction: 5 - 1 = 4)

XIV = 10 + 4 = 14 (values are added from left to right)

Final Result: X + IV = XIV (14)

The number XIV demonstrates a key feature of the Roman system - combining addition and subtraction rules in a single notation. First we write X (10), then IV (4), which gives us the sum of 14.

Historical note:

In older versions of the Roman system, you might have encountered the notation XIIII instead of XIV, but over time, notations using the subtraction rule became standard due to their greater conciseness.

Correct and incorrect notations for number 14

Correct notations:

✓ XIV = 10 + (5 - 1) = 14 (standard notation)

Incorrect notations:

✗ XIIII (violates the rule of maximum three repetitions of the same symbol)

✗ VIX (incorrect order of symbols)

✗ IVX (violates grouping rules)

Number 14 in historical context

Interesting facts about number XIV:

• In the Roman calendar, 14 days before the Kalends (first day of the month) had special significance in date calculations.
• The XIV Roman Legion (Legio XIV Gemina) was one of the most famous legions, playing a key role in the conquest of Britain under Emperor Claudius.
• The number 14 was significant for Romans in the context of lunar cycles and calendar regulation.
• Fourteen was considered an important number in Roman architecture, often used in building proportions.
• The 14th day of the month (ante diem XIV Kalendas) was significant in Roman religious observances.

Applications of XIV in the modern world

The Roman notation of 14 as XIV can be found in various contexts:

Time designations

Century designations (14th century = years 1301-1400)
In 24-hour format, 14:00 represents 2 PM
Academic year designations (2014 = MMXIV)

Numbering and designations

Chapter numbers in books (Chapter XIV)
Numbering of rulers and popes (e.g., Louis XIV, Benedict XIV)
Sports event designations (XIV tournament edition)
Software version numbering (e.g., Final Fantasy XIV)
Academic conferences (XIV International Symposium)

XIV notation in timekeeping

While we write 14 as XIV, you rarely find this notation on clock faces. This is because traditional clocks use the 12-hour format, so 14:00 (2 PM) is represented as hour 2 (II) on the dial.

Famous historical examples of XIV

Royal figures

Notable rulers numbered XIV:

Louis XIV - The Sun King of France
Pope Benedict XIV - 18th century pontiff
Charles XIV John - King of Sweden and Norway

Cultural references

XIV in arts and entertainment:

Final Fantasy XIV - Popular online game
14th century - Medieval period peak
Olympic Games XIV - 1948 London Olympics

How to remember the Roman fourteen notation?

To easily remember that 14 is written as XIV:

Break down 14 into 10 + 4, which is X + IV
Remember that 4 is written as IV (5 - 1)
Combine symbols in order from largest to smallest: XIV
Note that we never repeat the same symbol more than 3 times, so XIIII is incorrect

Practical tip:

Remember that numbers from 11 (XI) to 19 (XIX) always start with X (10), followed by the appropriate notation for the units. For 14, the units are written as IV (4), giving us XIV.

Learn About Roman Numeral XIV (14)

Watch our educational video about the Roman numeral XIV (14) and learn more about its usage and significance.

XIV compared to other Roman numerals

Comparing the notation of 14 (XIV) with other similar numbers helps understand the logic of the Roman system:

Arabic number	Roman numeral	Explanation
13	XIII	10 + 3 = 13 (addition only)
14	XIV	10 + (5 - 1) = 14 (addition and subtraction)
15	XV	10 + 5 = 15 (addition only)
16	XVI	10 + 5 + 1 = 16 (addition only)
17	XVII	10 + 5 + 2 = 17 (addition only)
18	XVIII	10 + 5 + 3 = 18 (addition only)
19	XIX	10 + (10 - 1) = 19 (addition and subtraction)

As you can see, XIV (14) uses both addition (X + IV) and subtraction within the IV portion (5 - 1), demonstrating the flexibility and efficiency of the Roman system in number notation.

Mathematical properties of number 14

Interesting mathematical facts about 14:

It's an even number (divisible by 2)
It can be expressed as 2 × 7, and equals the sum 1 + 3 + 6 + 4 (though this is not the sum of the first three triangular numbers)
In binary, 14 is represented as 1110
It's a composite number with divisors: 1, 2, 7, 14
It's the third square pyramidal number
In base 12, it's represented as 12 (one dozen plus two)

Cultural significance of XIV:

The number 14 holds special meaning in various cultures and contexts:

• In many cultures, 14 is associated with coming of age and maturity
• Valentine's Day falls on the 14th of February, making XIV symbolic of love
• In some traditions, 14 represents transformation and change
• The 14th Amendment to the US Constitution is historically significant
• In astronomy, there are currently five officially recognized dwarf planets, with many more candidates being studied

People who are 14 years old

People who are currently XIV (14) years old were born in the year 2011 (MMXI in Roman numerals)

Frequently Asked Questions about XIV (14)

Why is 14 written as XIV and not XIIII?

XIV follows the subtraction rule in Roman numerals. Instead of writing four I's (XIIII), Romans used IV (5-1=4) after X (10) to create XIV (10+4=14). This makes the notation more concise and follows the rule that no symbol should be repeated more than three times.

How do you break down XIV step by step?

XIV breaks down as: X = 10, IV = 4 (where I before V means 5-1). So XIV = 10 + 4 = 14. The key is recognizing that IV is a single unit representing 4, not separate symbols.

Is XIV the same on all clocks?

Most traditional clocks actually show XIIII instead of XIV for the number 14. This is a clockmaking convention for visual balance and symmetry on the clock face, though XIV is the standard Roman numeral form.

What comes before and after XIV?

Before XIV comes XIII (13), and after XIV comes XV (15). The sequence is: XIII (13), XIV (14), XV (15), XVI (16). Notice how XIV is the only one in this sequence that uses subtraction.

Can you use XIV in mathematical calculations?

Yes! Treat XIV as 14 in calculations. For example: XIV + VI = XX (14 + 6 = 20), or XX - VI = XIV (20 - 6 = 14). Convert to Arabic numerals, calculate, then convert back to Roman.

Why do some old inscriptions show XIIII instead of XIV?

In early Roman periods, the subtraction rule wasn't consistently applied. XIIII was sometimes used instead of XIV. Over time, the subtraction notation (XIV) became standard because it was more efficient and elegant.

How do you pronounce XIV?

XIV is pronounced as "fourteen" in English. In classical Latin, it would have been "quattuordecim." You can also spell it out as "X-I-V" when referring to the individual Roman numerals.

What historical significance does XIV have?

XIV appears in many historical contexts: the XIV Roman Legion (Legio XIV Gemina) was famous for conquering Britain, many rulers were numbered XIV (like Louis XIV of France), and the 14th day often had special significance in the Roman calendar system.

The Roman numeral XIV beautifully demonstrates the sophistication of the Roman numbering system. By combining both addition and subtraction principles in a single notation, it shows how Romans optimized their system for efficiency while maintaining clarity. Understanding XIV provides insight into the logical structure that makes Roman numerals both practical and enduring.

14 in Roman Numerals - XIV