Answer: XIX
Explanation: The problem involves identifying the smallest Roman numeral from a list. Roman numerals are a numeral system originating from ancient Rome, using combinations of letters from the Latin alphabet: I, V, X, L, C, D, and M. Each letter represents a specific value.
Steps:
- Convert each Roman numeral to its integer value:
- XXV:
- X = 10, X = 10, V = 5
- Total = 10 + 10 + 5 = 25
- XIX:
- X = 10, I = 1, X = 10
- Total = 10 + (10 – 1) = 19 (since I before X means subtract 1)
- XXXIX:
- X = 10, X = 10, X = 10, I = 1, X = 10
- Total = 10 + 10 + 10 + (10 – 1) = 39
- XLII:
- X = 10, L = 50, I = 1, I = 1
- Total = (50 – 10) + 1 + 1 = 42 (since X before L means subtract 10)
- Compare the integer values:
- XXV = 25
- XIX = 19
- XXXIX = 39
- XLII = 42
- Identify the smallest value:
- The smallest integer value is 19, which corresponds to the Roman numeral XIX.
Thus, the smallest Roman numeral is XIX.