Why is 85 in roman numerals VXC or LXXXV?

Answer 1

....... -11 -10 -9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 +5 +6 +7 +8 +9 +10 +11 ....... Looking at the above number line you can imagine that the negative integers are almost a mirror image of the positive integers both going in opposite directions into infinity. The Roman numerals VXC (-15+100) is shorthand for LXXXV (85) it is instructing you to move 100 places forward on the number line from -15 which will bring you onto +85. The negative numerals VX are a mirror image of the positive numerals XV. The Roman numeral system came from the Etruscan numeral system with some modifications. Strange as it may seem the Etruscans, who once ruled the Romans, did their counting backwards from right to left! David Gambell, Merseyside, England. Alternative conventional answer Roman numerlas are read from left to right and always start with the highest value numeral. LXXXV (50 + 10 + 10 + 10 + 5 = 85) follows this rule and is perfectly correct. The alternative mentioned above, VXC (15 less than 100) does not follow the rule, as it starts with -15 which is patently lower in value than one hundred. Also, according to the website Algebra.com while V may be placed before X or L is should not be placed before a higher value numeral such as C.