[Math] an example of a groupoid which is not a semigroup

abstract-algebramagmasemigroups

I know that groupoid refers to an algebraic structure with a binary operation. The only necessary condition is closure.

However, I couldn't find any easy-to-understand example of a groupoid which is not a semigroup. I did come across some examples of (certain type of) matrices but then matrix multiplication is always associative (thus making it a semi-group).

So, could someone please provide me an example of a groupoid which isn't a semigroup?

Best Answer

These are called magmas, not groupoids.

The ``midpoint'' operation $s\ast t=\frac{s+t}{2}$ on $\mathbb{R}$ makes it a magma which is not a semigroup.