To simplify the expression \( 4a^3b \cdot (3ab) \), you can follow these steps:
- Multiply the coefficients: \( 4 \times 3 = 12 \).
- Multiply the like terms for \( a \): \( a^3 \cdot a = a^{3+1} = a^4 \).
- Multiply the like terms for \( b \): \( b \cdot b = b^{1+1} = b^2 \).
Putting it all together, we get:
\[ 4a^3b \cdot (3ab) = 12a^4b^2 \]
Thus, the simplified expression is \( \boxed{12a^4b^2} \).