Is number four in roman numerals IV or IIII please give the reasons

In Roman numerals, the number four is represented by "IV". Here are the reasons behind this representation:

1. Basic Rules:

   • Roman numerals are a number system that originated in ancient Rome and were used throughout the Roman Empire.
   • The symbols are based on combinations of letters from the Latin alphabet: I, V, X, L, C, D, M.

2. Subtractive Principle:

   • Roman numerals use a subtractive principle to represent certain numbers. This means that a smaller number placed before a larger number implies that the larger number should be reduced by the smaller number.
   • For example, "IV" represents "5 - 1", which equals 4.

3. Use of IV over IIII:

   • "IIII" might seem like an intuitive approach, as it is just four ones (I) added together. However, this doesn't follow the established rules of Roman numerals.
   • Using "IV" is more efficient and follows the established system for representing numbers.

4. Consistency with Larger Numbers:

   • The rules that apply to "IV" are consistent with how larger numbers are represented in Roman numerals. For example, "IX" represents 9 (10 - 1), "XL" represents 40 (50 - 10), "XC" represents 90 (100 - 10), etc.

5. Historical Precedence:

   • The use of "IV" for the number 4 is historically established and has been used for centuries in various contexts, including in calendars, clocks, and documents.

By understanding these principles, you can see why "IV" is the correct representation of the number 4 in Roman numerals. It adheres to the established rules of the system and provides consistency across the entire range of numbers.