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Parallel Sum#

Definition: Parallel Sum

The parallel sum of two extended complex numbers \(a\) and \(b\) is defined as

\[ \frac{1}{\frac{1}{a} + \frac{1}{b}} = \frac{ab}{a + b} \]

Notation

\[ a \parallel b \]

The parallel sum is stronger than addition but weaker than multiplication:

\[ a \parallel b + c = (a \parallel b) + c \qquad a \parallel bc = a \parallel (bc) \]

Theorem: Associativity of Parallel Sum

The parallel sum is associative:

\[ (a \parallel b) \parallel c = a \parallel (b \parallel c) \]
Proof

TODO