A∞-operad
In mathematics, an A∞-operad is a type of operad used in algebraic topology and homotopy theory to describe algebraic structures where the property of associativity is loosened. In a simple associative operation, such as the multiplication of numbers, the order of operations does not matter: ( a × b ) × c = a × ( b × c ) {\displaystyle (a\times b)\times c=a\times (b\times c)} .