\(\lim\limits_{x\rightarrow1}\dfrac{\sqrt{3x+1}-2}{x^2-1}\)
\(=\lim\limits_{x\rightarrow1}\dfrac{3x+1-4}{\sqrt{3x+1}+2}\cdot\dfrac{1}{x^2-1}\)
\(=\lim\limits_{x\rightarrow1}\dfrac{3x-3}{\left(x-1\right)\left(x+1\right)\left(\sqrt{3x+1}+2\right)}\)
\(=\lim\limits_{x\rightarrow1}\dfrac{3}{\left(x+1\right)\left(\sqrt{3x+1}+2\right)}=\dfrac{3}{\left(1+1\right)\left(\sqrt{3+1}+2\right)}\)
\(=\dfrac{3}{2\cdot4}=\dfrac{3}{8}\)
=>a=3;b=8
=>a2+b=9+8=17