Averaging algebras, Schröder numbers, rooted trees and operads (Q894240)

An averaging algebra is a commutative algebra with a linear map \(P\) satisfying the axiom: \[ P(fP(g))=P(f)P(g). \] These objects appear in many fields, as pointed out in the introduction of this article; several examples are also given in the first section. The principal result of this paper is a description of free averaging algebras with the help of a family of parenthezised words, called the averaging words. When there is only one generator and \(P\) is idempotent, the formal series is related to large Schröder numbers, which leads to an interpretation of these numbers in words of rooted trees and bracketed words. Finally, a combinatorial description of averaging algebras based on a family of unreduced rooted trees is deduced.