Question

something times 36 equals 12

Answer 1

because 12 is smaller than 36, it must be smaller than 1.
36 is 3 times the size of 12, but since we must multiply it to get 12, we take the reciprocal of 3:
1/3
SO
36 * 1/3 = 12

Answer 2

Let's rename something as 'n'. 

If n × 36 = 12

We have to divide 36 on both sides to find n.

n = 12 ÷ 36

n = $\frac{1}{3}$