If a = 2 and b = 3, what is the value of (ab)^2?

If a = 2 and b = 3, what is the value of (ab)^2?

• A. 36
• B. 24
• C. 18
• D. 12

Answer: (A)

To find the value of \( (ab)^2 \) given that \( a = 2 \) and \( b = 3 \), first calculate the product \( ab \): \[ ab = 2 \times 3 = 6. \] Next, we need to square this result: \[ (ab)^2 = 6^2. \] Calculating \( 6^2 \) gives: \[ 6^2 = 36. \] Thus, the correct answer is 36. This calculation shows that one first finds the product of \( a \) and \( b \), before squaring the resultant product, providing clarity on the order of operations in this mathematical expression.

To find the value of ( (ab)^2 ) given that ( a = 2 ) and ( b = 3 ), first calculate the product ( ab ):

[

ab = 2 \times 3 = 6.

]

Next, we need to square this result:

[

(ab)^2 = 6^2.

]

Calculating ( 6^2 ) gives:

[

6^2 = 36.

]

Thus, the correct answer is 36. This calculation shows that one first finds the product of ( a ) and ( b ), before squaring the resultant product, providing clarity on the order of operations in this mathematical expression.