If you are comfortable with multiplying out (a – b)^2 you will find that the -b^2 term i.e. -b x -b MUST be positive.
e.g. suppose a=10 b=3 then result of above expression must be 7^2 = 49. Knowing this, when we expand the terms, a^2 = 100, -2ab = -60 so -b x -b = -b^2 = +9 to give 49 when the terms are summed.
HTH.
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