To solve the equation \( x^2 = 78 \) by inspection, we need to find the square roots of 78.
The two real solutions are:
- \( x = \sqrt{78} \)
- \( x = -\sqrt{78} \)
Since we need to enter the lesser number first, the solutions are:
\[ -\sqrt{78}, \quad \sqrt{78} \]
Thus, the answer is \( -78^{1/2}, \quad 78^{1/2} \).