What does "i" typically represent in roman numerals?

In Roman numerals, the letter "i" represents the number one. This is a fundamental aspect of Roman numeral notation, where "i" is the first letter used to denote numerical values. Roman numerals are based on specific letters from the Latin alphabet, where "i" stands for one, "v" stands for five, "x" for ten, and so on.

The use of "i" to represent one is foundational because it sets the stage for building other numbers. For example, two is represented as "ii" (which is one plus one), three as "iii" (which is one plus one plus one), and so forth. Therefore, knowing that "i" signifies one is essential for understanding how larger numbers are constructed in the Roman numeral system.