To solve the equation \( x^2 = 36 \) by inspection, we can find the values of \( x \) that satisfy this equation.
Taking the square root of both sides gives us:
\[ x = \pm \sqrt{36} \]
Since \( \sqrt{36} = 6 \), the solutions are:
\[ x = 6 \quad \text{and} \quad x = -6 \]
The lesser number is \( -6 \). Therefore, the two real solutions are:
\[ -6, 6 \]