To solve the equation \( x^2 = 36 \) by inspection, we look for values of \( x \) that, when squared, equal 36.
The square root of 36 is 6, so we have:
\[ x = 6 \quad \text{and} \quad x = -6 \]
Therefore, the solutions to the equation \( x^2 = 36 \) are:
\[ x = 6 \quad \text{or} \quad x = -6 \]