# Real life examples of commutative but non-associative operations

I've been trying to find ways to explain to people why associativity is important. Subtraction is a good example of something that isn't associative, but it is not commutative.

So the best I could come up with is paper-rock-scissors; the operation takes two inputs and puts out the winner (assuming they are different).

So (paper rock) scissors= paper scissors = scissors,

But paper (rock scissors)= paper rock = paper.

This is a good example because it shows that associativity matters even outside of math.

What other real-life examples are there of commutative but non-associative operations? Preferably those with as little necessary math background as possible.

-
Your question is distinct, but these two questions are closely related: math.stackexchange.com/questions/327422/… and math.stackexchange.com/questions/160945/…. –  Eric Thoma Dec 15 '13 at 20:49
The most "real-life" (or otherwise simplest) examples from the linked questions seem to be the operations: sending $(A,B)$ to the midpoint of $A$ and $B$, and $(x,y) \mapsto xy +1$ on the integers. –  Eric Thoma Dec 15 '13 at 20:52
Mixing chemicals in chemistry is not necessarily associative when considering physical factors: i.e. suspensions/colloids. I do not know of an example where chemically mixing is not associative. The midpoint operation can be visualized with strings, where $(A,B)$ means you cut (or otherwise mark) at the midpoint of $A$ and $B$. –  Eric Thoma Dec 15 '13 at 20:59
What's this "real-life" thing? –  Karl Kronenfeld Dec 16 '13 at 10:22

## 4 Answers

Let $\circ$ be the "function" of $a$ and $b$ having a child. Then $$(a\circ b)\circ c \neq a\circ(b\circ c)$$ assuming asexual reproduction...

-
I am not sure whether a +1 is in order for a good answer, or a -1 for suggestions of incest. Very good example for why associativity is important. –  Eric Thoma Dec 15 '13 at 21:01
@Eric thanks, but it only works fine for asexual reproduction... –  draks ... Dec 15 '13 at 21:21
I was interpreting as $\circ$ takes two people and outputs their child. Then $(a\circ b)\circ c$ is the child made by (the child of $a$ and $b$) and $c$. And $a\circ(b\circ c)$ is the child of $a$ and (the child of $b$ and $c$). Taking $a$, $b$, and $c$ as the top nodes, you may draw the family tree, and see that in terms of DNA, the operation is not associative. I suppose it is not incest actually though, but does suggest a wide age gap between couples. –  Eric Thoma Dec 16 '13 at 1:25

You asked for explosions:

1. Dissociate $H_2O$ into $H_2$ and $\frac12 O_2$
2. Burn it $\to$ explosion

compared to

1. Burn $H_20$
2. Dissociate it $\to$ no explosion
-
This depicts $1 + 2 \ne 2 + 1$, a non-commutative system, not a non-associative one. –  Eric Thoma Dec 16 '13 at 1:28

Mixing primary colors:

(red + blue ) + blue = purple + blue = blue purple,

red + ( blue + blue ) = red + blue = purple.

-
Do you mean light or paint? –  draks ... Dec 15 '13 at 21:26
I was thinking about paint on a canvas –  Avitus Dec 15 '13 at 21:27
For certain inputs that is associative. (cyan+magenta)+yellow=black=cyan+(magenta+yellow). –  Boluc Papuccuoglu Dec 15 '13 at 23:41
And also, if you took two grams of blue paint and one gram of red paint, the end result would be the same shade no matter the order you mixed them in. –  Boluc Papuccuoglu Dec 15 '13 at 23:42
For certain inputs mixing can be associative, I agree (due to complementary colors), but in general it is not. And yes...mixing of the same amount of color :) –  Avitus Dec 16 '13 at 6:52

What about commas?

Brian Rushton finds inspiration in cooking, his family and his dog.

vs.

Brian Rushton finds inspiration in cooking his family and his dog.

Shows pretty well how associativity makes a difference.

-