For a quadratic equation ax^2 + bx + c = 0, you do not need to find both roots when only the sum is asked. Use Vieta's formula: sum of roots = -b/a. In x^2 + 0x - 49 = 0, a = 1 and b = 0. So the sum is -(0)/1 = 0. Therefore, the correct answer is 0.