Correct answer: B. (6)
Explanation: The direct answer is option B: 6 pairs. We count by fixing a and then listing b values that make a + b < 3. If a = 0, then b < 3, so b = 0, 1, 2: 3 choices. If a = 1, then b < 2, so b = 0, 1: 2 choices. If a = 2, then b < 1, so b = 0: 1 choice. The total is 3 + 2 + 1 = 6. The valid pairs are (0,0), (0,1), (0,2), (1,0), (1,1), and (2,0). Option A, 5, misses one pair. Option B, 6, matches the complete count. Option C, 7, usually results from including a boundary value such as a + b = 3, but the condition is strictly less than 3, not less than or equal to 3. Option D, 8, overcounts still more pairs. Memory cue: for “less than,” do not include equality; count each row carefully.