49 in Roman numerals
49 is written XLIX. In chunks: XL (40) + IX (9) = 49.
The answer
XLIX
49 in Roman numerals is XLIX.
How XLIX is built
To write it, split 49 into 40 + 9. 40 is XL, 9 is IX, so 49 is XL then IX: XLIX.
To read it, XLIX has 2 chunks, and XL and IX are take-away pairs, worked out first and then added.
| Chunk | Worth | Why |
|---|---|---|
| XL | 40 | X before L: take away |
| IX | 9 | I before X: take away |
The mistake to watch for
Writing 49 as IL
Wrong: IL
IL looks like "50 take away 1", but only four pairs ever subtract up to 100: IV, IX, XL and XC. Split 49 into 40 and 9 instead: XL and IX make XLIX.
Check it with the converter
Type IL to see why IL is not 49. The rule numbers it gives are the three rules on the Roman numerals page.
Converter set to XLIX (49).
Keep going
Questions parents ask
What is 49 in Roman numerals?
49 is XLIX.
What comes before and after XLIX?
48 is XLVIII and 50 is L.
Does XLIX use subtraction?
Yes, twice: XL (40) and IX (9). In each pair the smaller letter comes first, so it is taken away from the bigger one.
What is the biggest letter in XLIX?
L, which is 50. XLIX has 4 letters.
Careful reading is an 11+ skill
Reading all 4 letters of XLIX in order is the careful checking 11+ papers reward. The free diagnostic covers all four subjects, with no card needed.