Question:
Let * be binary operation defined on R by a * b = 1 + ab, ∀ a, b ∈ R. Then the operation * is
(i) commutative but not associative
(ii) associative but not commutative
(iii) neither commutative nor associative
(iv) both commutative and associative
Solution:
(i) Given that * is a binary operation defined on R by a * b = 1 + ab, ∀ a, b ∈ R
So, we have a * b = ab + 1 = b * a
So, * is a commutative binary operation.
Now, a * (b * c) = a * (1 + bc) = 1 + a (1 + bc) = 1 + a + abc
Also,
(a * b) * c = (1 + ab) * c = 1 + (1 + ab) c = 1 + c + abc
Thus, a * (b * c) ≠ (a * b) * c
Hence, * is not associative.
Therefore, * is commutative but not associative.