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

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.