36 depicted as a triangular number and as a square number36 as the sum of the first positive cubes
36 is both the square of six, and the eighth triangular number[1] or the sum of the first eight non-zero positive integers, which makes 36 the first non-trivial square triangular number.[2] Aside from being the smallest square triangular number other than 1, it is also the only triangular number (other than 1) whose square root is also a triangular number. 36 is also the eighth refactorable number, as it has exactly nine positive divisors, and 9 is one of them;[3] in fact, it is the smallest positive integer with at least nine divisors, which leads 36 to be the 7th highly composite number.[4] It is the sum of the fourth pair of twin-primes (17 + 19),[5] and the 18th Harshad number in decimal, as it is divisible by the sum of its digits (9).[6]
Since it is possible to find sequences of 36 consecutive integers such that each inner member shares a factor with either the first or the last member, 36 is an Erdős–Woods number.[11]
The cosine of an angle of 36 degrees is half the golden ratio.[13] This is equivalent to cos(π/5) and sin(54). The point of the golden triangle is 36 degrees.
In religion
Jewish tradition holds that the number 36 has had special significance since the beginning of time: According to the Midrash, the light created by God on the first day of creation shone for exactly 36 hours; it was replaced by the light of the Sun that was created on the Fourth Day.[14] The Torah commands 36 times to love, respect and protect the stranger.[14] Furthermore, in every generation there are 36 righteous people (the "Lamed Vav Tzadikim") in whose merit the world continues to exist.[14] In the modern celebration of Hanukkah, 36 candles are kindled in the menorah over the eight days of that holiday (not including the shamash candle).[14]