1. **State the problem:** A father is 36 years old and his daughter is 3 years old. We want to find in how many years the father will be exactly 4 times as old as his daughter. 2. **Set variables:** Let $x$ be the number of years from now when the father is 4 times as old as his daughter. 3. **Write the equation:** In $x$ years, the father's age will be $36 + x$ and the daughter's age will be $3 + x$. The condition is: $$36 + x = 4(3 + x)$$ 4. **Solve the equation:** $$36 + x = 12 + 4x$$ Subtract $x$ from both sides: $$36 = 12 + 3x$$ Subtract 12 from both sides: $$24 = 3x$$ Divide both sides by 3: $$x = 8$$ 5. **Interpret the result:** In 8 years, the father will be exactly 4 times as old as his daughter. **Final answer:** $8$ years.