James has 36 tulips and needs to have same number in each vase

Use the factor pairs of 36. You'll find that he has

9 different ways to arrange them:

1 x 36 ... 1 tulip each in 36 vases, or 36 tulips in1 vase

2 x18 ... 2 tulips each in 18 vases, or 18 tulips each in 2 vases

3 x 12 ... 3 tulips each in 12 vases, or 12 tulips each in 3 vases

4 x 9 ... 4 tulips each in 9 vases, or 9 tulips each in 4 vases

6 x 6 ... 6 tulips each in 6 vases

It depends like if there is 2 vases you do 18 tulips in each vase. If there are 3 vases you put 12 tulips in each vase. If there are 4 vases you put 9 tulips in each vase.