According to the Binomial Squares Pattern, what does (a+b)^2 expand to?

1. The Binomial Squares Pattern states that squaring a sum gives the square of the first term, plus twice the product of the two terms, plus the square of the last term. 2. For (a + b) squared, that pattern is a squared + 2ab + b squared. 3. Dropping the middle term's coefficient of 2, or flipping either sign, does not match the pattern for a sum squared. _Source: OpenStax Elementary Algebra (CC BY 4.0), Ch 7 "Factoring", section 7.4 Factor Special Products_