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The system of number symbols created by the Romans had the merit of expressing all numbers from 1 to 1,000,000 with a total of seven symbols: I for 1, V for 5, X for 10, L for 50, C for 100, D for 500, and M for 1000. Roman numerals are read from left to right. The symbols representing the largest quantities are placed at the left; immediately to the right of those are the symbols representing the next largest quantities, and so on. The symbols are usually added together. For example, LX = 60, and MMCIII = 2103. When a numeral is smaller than the numeral to the right, however, the numeral on the left should be subtracted from the numeral on the right. For instance, XIV = 14 and IX = 9. represents 1,000,000—a small bar placed over the numeral multiplies the numeral by 1000. Thus, theoretically, it is possible, by using an infinite number of bars, to express the numbers from 1 to infinity. In practice, however, one bar is usually used; two are rarely used, and more than two are almost never used. Roman numerals are still used today, more than 2000 years after their introduction. The Roman system's one drawback, however, is that it is not suitable for rapid written calculations.
The common system of number notation in use in most parts of the world today is the Arabic system. This system was first developed by the Hindus and was in use in India in the 3rd century bc. At that time the numerals 1, 4, and 6 were written in substantially the same form used today.

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