Dr. Xeno Centric Takes a Roman Holiday

A Webquest Designed to Explore the Roman Numeration System.

By Cheryl J. McAllister

July 2001

You’re Invited!!!

Dr. Xeno Centric is a retired professor of mathematics history who lives in your neighborhood. He likes to share his passion for math history with others – especially the young people in his neighborhood. One day you and your friends receive the following invitation:

Please Come to my Birthday Party!!

Month: LV – XLIVDay: CLXXIII – CLXIXYear: MDLXVI + CDXXXVTime: XCIII XXXI p.m.Place: XXIIV LXIII Main StreetI will be LXXVI – LI XL V – CXXI years old.Instead of gifts, please bring a game to the party that

uses Roman numerals.Your friend, Dr. Xeno Centric

P.S. Here are some internet sites that may help you decipher my invitation!

http://www.capitolium.org/eng/ludi/numeri.htmhttp://www.geocities.com/Athens/Stage/3591/education.html

The Quest

Explore the internet sites Dr. X suggested and any others you find along the way.Decipher the invitation.Find as many examples as you can of Roman numerals used today. (Hint: look in books, on video and audio recordings, legal documents, etc.)Design a game that uses Roman numerals. The game can be a variation of a game you already play or a brand new game you think up on your own.

Good Luck!