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
Given that,
‘*’ be binary operation defined on R by a * b = 1 + ab, ∀ a, b ∈ R
A binary operation ‘*’ is commutative if a*b = b*a ∀ a, b ∈ R
Now,
a*b = 1+ab = 1+ba [∵ ab=ba since multiplication is commutative
on R]
⇒ 1+ba = b*a
∴ a*b = b*a ∀ a, b ∈ R
So, ‘*’ is commutative on R.
A binary operation ‘*’ is associative if (a*b)*c = a*(b*c) ∀ a, b,c ∈ R
Now,
(a*b)*c = (1+ab)*c = 1+(1+ab)c = 1+c+abc
a*(b*c) = a*(1+bc) = 1+a(1+bc) = 1+a+abc
∴ (a*b)*c ≠ a*(b*c)
So, ‘*’ is not associative on R.
Hence, ‘*’ is commutative but not associative on R.