38 in Roman numerals
38 is written XXXVIII. In chunks: X (10) + X (10) + X (10) + V (5) + I (1) + I (1) + I (1) = 38.
The answer
XXXVIII
38 in Roman numerals is XXXVIII.
How XXXVIII is built
To write it, split 38 into 30 + 8. 30 is XXX, 8 is VIII, so 38 is XXX then VIII: XXXVIII.
To read it, XXXVIII has 7 chunks, and none of them is a take-away pair, so every chunk is added.
| Chunk | Worth | Why |
|---|---|---|
| X | 10 | Add |
| X | 10 | Add |
| X | 10 | Add |
| V | 5 | Add |
| I | 1 | Add |
| I | 1 | Add |
| I | 1 | Add |
The mistake to watch for
Writing 38 as XXXIIX
Wrong: XXXIIX
XXXIIX tries to take two I's away from X. Only one smaller letter can go in front of a bigger one, so 8 is VIII (5 + 3), which makes 38 XXXVIII.
Check it with the converter
Type XXXIIX to see why XXXIIX is not 38. The rule numbers it gives are the three rules on the Roman numerals page.
Converter set to XXXVIII (38).
Keep going
Questions parents ask
What is 38 in Roman numerals?
38 is XXXVIII.
What comes before and after XXXVIII?
37 is XXXVII and 39 is XXXIX.
Does XXXVIII use subtraction?
No. Every letter in XXXVIII is the same size as, or smaller than, the letter before it, so you just add them all.
What is the biggest letter in XXXVIII?
X, which is 10. XXXVIII has 7 letters.
Careful reading is an 11+ skill
Reading all 7 letters of XXXVIII in order is the careful checking 11+ papers reward. The free diagnostic covers all four subjects, with no card needed.