Subtractive notation, where you subtract, is how we subtract 1/10/100 from 5/10/50/100/500/1,000.
IV is 4. IX is 9. XL is 40. XC is 90 CD is 400. CM is 900.
Ere be: D D D D D.
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MCCCCLXXXXVIIII (1499) which is in subtractive notation IMD (1500-1). *Incorrect - See discussion
The best contribution that the Romans made to maths today was with their Roman numeral system which is still used throughout the world even today. Their numeracy system is unique amongst numeracy systems in that it can be written down in additive notation or subtractive notation.
Subtractive - because they remove material from the object being ground.
subtractive Principal actor.
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