Final answer:
Without knowing the specific operation the machine performs, we cannot definitively determine the input that results in an output of 36. We would need the rule or equation that defines the machine's operation to provide an accurate answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine the number that went into the machine to produce an output of 36, we need additional information about how the machine operates. Is there a function or operation that the machine performs on input numbers? Without knowing the process, we cannot ascertain what input would result in the number 36. In mathematics, especially when dealing with functions or operations, knowing the rule or equation governing the input-output relationship is crucial. However, since the question is likely a math problem and typically such problems involve a function or operation, let's consider a few possibilities:
- If the machine simply adds a certain number to its input to get 36, then the input would be 36 minus that number.
- If the machine multiplies the input by a fixed number to get 36, the input would be 36 divided by that number.
- If the machine performs a more complex operation, we would need to know exactly what that operation is to find the input.
Each of these scenarios assumes that there is a single, deterministic rule by which the machine operates. However, without additional information, we can only make educated guesses about what number went in to get 36 as the output.