on a clockface using roman numerals, why is 4 represented with IIII rather than IV?

Answer 1

That is a good question and I remember having this discussion with my husband a couple of years ago when we were standing in a city square and looking at the clock and the 3 was represented by IIII.

Some clocks use IIII and some use IV. They do it that way because that's the way they've always done it, at least as far back as 1550, and probably earlier. Many clock historians claim that IIII is supposed to provide artistic balance, since you mentally pair it off with VIII on the other side of the dial. (Presumably you see how the otherwise economical IV would have trouble holding its own in this respect.) The only problem with this theory is that the Romans apparently never used IV--it's a relatively modern invention. It's possible, in other words, that old-time clock makers used IIII because it was considered perfectly proper usage for all purposes, horological or otherwise, at the time.

The correct answer is that no one knows for sure, but many people have made suggestions that might explain it. These sites discuss some of them. Best of luck.

Answer 2

Look beyond the clock.
Roman numerals were ( and are) used for more than just clocks. It was THE numbering system for everything.

You have to look at the whole system. It DOES make sense. (really!)

Take the year " 1944". under your theory, it would read:

MCCCCCCCCCXXXXIIII instead of "MCMXLIV"
:
M=1000, C=100, X=10, V=5,I =1
so in this example, M=1,000, C before M is (1000-100) or 900, X before L ( 50-10) and I before V ( 5-1) = 1944

Answer 3

Using IIII instead of IV is common in clock use - it is much less ambiguous when read upside down, and in close proximity to the VI at the bottom of the dial.

Answer 4

because they are clock makers and not romanologists!! IV is the correct roman numeral. i have a roman clock though and it has IV instead of IIII ...maybe your clock fell off the back of a truck.

Answer 5

Because that is how Romans actually wrote the number 4

Answer 6

because some folks don't know how to read Roman numerals correctly. Either that, or the person who designed this clock face didn't know the correct numeration.

Answer 7

It's not, I'm assuing you see a messed up clock =/

All I've seen have IV

Answer 8

Because it can easily be mistaken for six (VI) if looked at the wrong way.

Or at least that's what I've always assumed.

Answer 9

"IIII" -rather than "IV"- is often used to mark the fourth hour to achieve symmetry with "VIII"

Answer 10

its optional,not all clocks are the same.
see "clockology" as reference.