The product of two whole numbers is 36 . what is the greatest possible sum that the number can have?

Whole numbers are positive numbers without decimals.  First, list all the whole number factors of 36:

1 and 36

2 and 18

3 and 12

4 and 9

6 and 6

Next, see which one of those pairs has the highest sum:

1+36=37

2+18=20

3+12=15

4+9=13

6+6=12

The greatest possible sum the numbers can have is 37.

Hope this helps!!