Final answer:
To find two real numbers with a sum of 12.5 and a product of 36, set up a system of equations and solve the quadratic equation.
Step-by-step explanation:
To find two real numbers with a sum of 12.5 and a product of 36, we can set up a system of equations. Let's assume the two numbers are x and y. We know that x + y = 12.5 and xy = 36. Rearranging the first equation, we get x = 12.5 - y. Substituting this into the second equation, we have (12.5 - y)y = 36. Expanding and rearranging, we get y² - 12.5y + 36 = 0. Now we can solve this quadratic equation using factoring, completing the square, or the quadratic formula.