The operation  is defined on the set R of real numbers by ab=ab+a. Determine whether or not the operation  is associative.​

Please I need help.

ab=ab+a

We need to check the following:

(ab)c=a(bc) or not

LHS

(ab)c=(ab+a)c

=(ab+a)c+(ab+a)

=abc+ac+ab+a

RHS

a(bc)=a(bc+b)

=a(bc+b)+a

=abc+ab+a

as LHS ≠ RHS, the operation is not associative

Step-by-step explanation:

for the friend request.

when a figure, such as triangle (xyz) is reflected over the line y = x to create x'y'z' the x-coordinates and y-coordinates of the original image (pre-image) will be reversed for the image. (e.g., (x, y) > (y, x)) this means that the pre-image position of the x- and y-coordinates switch places which in turn provides a mirror like image of the original xyz.  

i notice that when i draw a line segment from x to x', that the points are parallel from each other -- they are exactly across from each other and do not intersect with any other points.  

yes, think i would see the same characteristic if you drew the line segment connecting y with the reflecting line and then y' with the reflecting line because of the essence of reflections. because it is a mirror image, each point was effected the same way which leads me to conclude that they same would apply to y and y'.