The number 36 is rational because it can be expressed as a fraction, specifically \( \frac{36}{1} \). A rational number is defined as any number that can be written as a fraction \( \frac{a}{b} \) where \( a \) and \( b \) are integers and \( b \neq 0 \).
Now, to determine if \( \sqrt{36} \) is rational or irrational, we calculate \( \sqrt{36} \): \[ \sqrt{36} = 6 \] Since 6 can also be expressed as \( \frac{6}{1} \), it is a rational number.
Therefore, \( \sqrt{36} \) is rational because it equals 6, which can be expressed as a fraction of two integers.