Question

How can the number four be half of five?

Answer 1

Because of an 18th Century misunderstanding of Roman numerals. In the “modern” recreation of Roman numerals, the letters IV stand for the number four. The I represents one, the V represents five, and, so it was thought, putting the I before V meant one less than five, or four. Since IV is half the letters of the word FIVE, they represent “half” of FIVE. It’s a word-play.

Thing is, the Romans didn’t do it that way. Four in Roman numerals was actually IIII.

Edit: Not sure why Quora suggested this answer needed improvement. It is correct and complete, and answers the question. I realize many people have grown up believing that IV was four in Roman numerals, but the Romans didn’t do it that way. Numerals were stacked after numbers, not before, so that nine was VIIII, not IX.

Answer 2

Answer:

How can the number 4 be half of FIVE? Beginning with FIVE, take away the F and E (half of the letters), leaving IV, which is the Roman numeral for four.

Pls mark as brainliest

Explanation: