1. **State the problem:** We want to find the square root of 49. 2. **Recall the formula:** The square root of a number $a$ is a value $x$ such that $$x^2 = a.$$ For positive numbers, the principal square root is the positive value satisfying this. 3. **Apply the formula:** We want $x$ such that $$x^2 = 49.$$ 4. **Evaluate:** Since $7^2 = 49$, we have $$\sqrt{49} = 7.$$ 5. **Answer:** The square root of 49 is 7.