Why do clocks have 4 in roman numerals as iiii instead of iv
Clock historians claim that IIII is supposed to provide artistic balance, since you mentally pair it with VIII on the other side. ( Source: http://www.chacha.com/question/why-do-clocks-have-4-in-roman-numerals-as-iiii-instead-of-iv )
More Answers to "Why do clocks have 4 in roman numerals as iiii instead of iv"
- Why is the Roman numeral four represented by IIII on a clock face...?
- http://wiki.answers.com/Q/On_a_clock_face_with_roman_numerals_why_is_the_four_represented_by_IIII_and_not_IV
- Roman Numerals Variations and Why It's said, that in Roman times, they didn't use IV for 4, because IV are the first two letters of the name of their king of the gods, Iupiter (IVPITER, as it was written). There are some clocks and sundials...
Related Questions Answered on Y!Answers
- Why clocks with roman displays show the number 4 as 'IIII' instead of 'IV'?
- Q: Why clocks with roman numerals present the number 4 as 'IIII' instead of 'IV' as it should be?
- A: There are several explanations, but no one knows for certain which one is true, if any. Here's a few of them:- The number 8, represented as VIII on the clockface, is the heaviest number. IIII creates a visual symmetry with this number because of its size. IV would not.- Since IV was often a short form of IVPITER, the main god of the Romans, it was not appropriate to use.- A clockmaker had constructed a clock for Louis XIV, king of France. IV had been used to represent for four. When the king saw it he remarked that IIII should have been used instead. When the king was told that IV was correct, he still insisted. This may have introduced the custom of using IIII for four. However, IIII occurs long before the time of Louis XIV.
- why do roman numeral clocks some times have the figure 4 written as IIII instead of IV?
- Q:
- A: Sh*ts and giggles, basically.By using IIII instead of IV, the clock face looks more balanced, because you have four numbers consisting of I's, four consisting of combinations of I's and V's, and four consisting of I's and X's.I II III IIII V VI VII VIII IX X XI XIIIIIII was actually more commonly used by the Romans than IV.
- Why do wall clocks display the 4 as 'IIII' instead of 'IV'?
- Q: The Roman numeral for 4 is IV, so why do the older and nicer wall clocks of today display it as 4 i's?
- A: It's the decision of whoever makes the clock. Here's a quote from wikipedia "Multiple symbols may be combined to produce numbers in between these values, subject to certain rules on repetition. In cases where it may be shorter, it is sometimes allowable to place a smaller, subtractive, symbol before a larger value, so that, for example, one may write IV or iv for four, rather than iiii."
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