Contrast Roman numerals with the rod calculus[0] invented in Ancient China. Wikipedia has a list of algorithms for calculating with rods, from the usual arithme

Contrast Roman numerals with the rod calculus[0] invented in Ancient China. Wikipedia has a list of algorithms for calculating with rods, from the usual arithmetic operations to fractions, division, square and cube roots, Gaussian elimination, and solving polynomials. It would seem that such tasks would be extremely difficult for someone working with the Roman numerals. [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rod_calculus https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rod_calculus