\(\dfrac{9}{4}=ab+a+b+1\le\dfrac{1}{4}\left(a+b\right)^2+a+b+1\)
\(\Leftrightarrow\left(a+b\right)^2+4\left(a+b\right)-5\ge0\)
\(\Leftrightarrow\left(a+b-1\right)\left(a+b+5\right)\ge0\)
\(\Leftrightarrow a+b-1\ge0\) (do \(a+b+5>0\))
\(\Rightarrow a+b\ge1\)
b.
\(a^2+b^2\ge\dfrac{1}{2}\left(a+b\right)^2\ge\dfrac{1}{2}.1^2=\dfrac{1}{2}\) (đpcm)