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For the nested partial unary operation category tower, each one-step forgetful functor is a monadic adjunction right adjoint: it reflects isomorphisms and creates its split coequalizers. The Beck monadicity theorem identifies the first Eilenberg-Moore category with the next category in the tower. A long composite has that same first monad because free extension of nested partial unary operations leaves no new top fixed points. Repeating the comparison forgets one fewer operation at each step. The remaining forgetful functor is not full until no operation remains to forget, giving monadic length $m-n$.

An object of ${\mathcal{C}}_n$ is a set with a finite list of partial unary operations. The first is total; the domain of each later operation consists exactly of the defined fixed points of the immediately preceding operation. Morphisms preserve every defined operation. Take ${\mathcal{C}}_0$ to be the Category of sets. This tower gives examples of arbitrary finite monadic length even though its long free–forgetful composites induce the same first monad.

Broadly in favour, if “trivial” means transparent once the correct structure has been identified. The value of category theory is often to isolate a universal property that makes a repeated argument automatic.

For example, two objects with the same universal property have unique connecting maps in each direction. Their composites and the identities satisfy the same defining conditions, so uniqueness makes those composites identities. This one argument explains the uniqueness of categorical products, categorical limits, adjoint functors and many other constructions. It also specifies which isomorphism is canonical, a point that an arbitrary objectwise choice would miss.

The Yoneda lemma makes this perspective systematic. A natural transformation out of $\mathcal{C}(c,-)$ is determined by its value at $1_c$. Once that evaluation principle is recognized, questions about representable functors reduce to compositions in the original category. Similarly, the Beck monadicity theorem organizes many free-and-forgetful constructions around monad algebras, reflection of isomorphisms and specified coequalizers. The proof supplies a reusable explanation of why the algebraic structure can be reconstructed from the forgetful functor.

The substantial work lies in finding suitable definitions and verifying their hypotheses. The Freyd general adjoint functor theorem, for instance, needs completeness, local smallness and a solution set; none follows merely from calling a construction natural. The partial-operation tower below even has a monadic length that records how many distinct reconstruction steps are needed. These examples support the view that abstraction clarifies the source of an argument's simplicity. They also show why that simplicity is an achievement requiring proof.

An adjunction $L⊣U$ induces the monad $T=UL$ with unit $\eta$ and multiplication $U\epsilon L$. The Eilenberg-Moore comparison functor sends $B$ to $(UB,U{\epsilon }_B)$. A monadic adjunction is one for which that comparison is an equivalence of categories. Iterating comparisons, when their left adjoints exist, gives a tower; its monadic length is the number of steps until equivalence, with length zero for an equivalence and length one for a monadic adjunction that is not already an equivalence.

The precise monadicity theorem says that a right adjoint is monadic exactly when it reflects isomorphisms and creates coequalizers of pairs whose images admit split coequalizers.

Write $U_r:{\mathcal{C}}_r\to {\mathcal{C}}_{r-1}$ for one-step forgetting. For $r=1$, the free extension of nested partial unary operations is the familiar set $A\times \mathbb{N}$, with ${\alpha }_1(a,j)=(a,j+1)$ and unit $a\mapsto (a,0)$. A map into a set with endomorphism ${\beta }_1$ extends uniquely by $(a,j)\mapsto {\beta }_1^{j}f(a)$.

For $r\ge 2$, letKeep $A$ and all its old operations, and adjoin the disjoint set $S(A)\times \mathbb{N}$. On the new points define ${\alpha }_1(a,j)=(a,j+1)$; every old operation ${\alpha }_i$ with $i\ge 2$ is undefined there. Define the new top operation only at the old eligible points, by ${\alpha }_r(a)=(a,0)$ for $a\in S(A)$.

These domains satisfy the defining rules of the nested partial unary operation category: the new points have no ${\alpha }_1$-fixed points, so none has any higher operation defined. Given $f:A\to U_{r}B$, extend it byThe expression is defined because $f$ sends eligible points to eligible points and ${\beta }_1$ is total. It preserves every defined operation; preservation of ${\alpha }_r$ at old points determines $j=0$, and preservation of ${\alpha }_1$ determines the whole chain. Thus it is the unique extension, proving $L_r⊣U_r$.

For monadicity, $U_r$ reflects isomorphisms: an isomorphism of the lower structures takes $S(A)$ bijectively to $S(B)$, so the inverse of a map preserving the new operation preserves it too.

Next prove the split-coequalizer lifting for a fixed-point-domain operation. Let $f,g:A\rightrightarrows B$ be ${\mathcal{C}}_r$-morphisms and suppose their lower images have a split coequalizer $q:U_{r}B\to Q$, with $s:Q\to U_{r}B$, $t:U_{r}B\to U_{r}A$ satisfyingEquip $Q$ with ${\beta }_Q(z)=q{\beta }_B(sz)$ on its required eligible domain. The lower-structure maps $s,t$ preserve eligibility. For eligible $x\in B$,so $q$ preserves the top operation. If $h:B\to D$ coequalizes $f,g$, its lower factor $\overline{h}:Q\to U_{r}D$ satisfiesThus it is a morphism of the full structures. Uniqueness of the lifted operation follows from the eligible section $s$ and surjectivity of $q$. This creates the specified coequalizer, so the Beck monadicity theorem proves each one-step adjunction is monadic.

Finally, every free top operation just constructed has no fixed points: for $r=1$ it shifts the free chain, while for $r\ge 2$ it sends old eligible points to new distinct points and is undefined on the new points. Freely adjoining any further operation therefore changes nothing, since its required domain is empty. For $n>m$, the monad induced on ${\mathcal{C}}_m$ by the long free-and-forgetful adjunction is consequently the same monad, including unit and multiplication, as that for ${\mathcal{C}}_{m+1}\to {\mathcal{C}}_m$.

The first comparison category is thus equivalent to ${\mathcal{C}}_{m+1}$. Its algebra action evaluates the new formal value by ${\alpha }_{m+1}$, so the comparison from ${\mathcal{C}}_n$ retains precisely that next operation and is the remaining forgetful functor. Iteration recovers one additional operation at each step. These remaining comparisons are not equivalences while an operation is still forgotten: take a two-element set with all retained operations equal to the identity, and choose the next operation to be the identity in one extension and the transposition in another. Higher operations can be identities in the first case and undefined in the second. The identity on the retained structure is not a morphism between these extensions, so the forgetful functor is not full. This includes ${\mathcal{C}}_1\to \mathbf{Set}$.

The monadic tower for nested partial unary operations therefore has exactly the claimed length:

I would defend the assertion as a description of what good abstraction achieves, provided it is not taken to mean that finding the abstraction is easy. Category theory makes recurring arguments consequences of a common universal property, instead of requiring a new calculation in every setting.

The Yoneda lemma is an instructive example. A natural transformation from $\mathcal{C}(c,-)$ to a set-valued functor $F$ is determined by its value on $1_c$; naturality forces its value at $u:c\to d$ to be $F(u)$ of that element. Once the right question is asked, the proof is short. Yet the statement explains why representable functors encode objects faithfully, and why a functor can be reconstructed from its elements. The simplicity belongs to the organized argument, not to a claim that these consequences were obvious beforehand.

Likewise, the fact that a right adjoint preserves categorical limits does not need separate proofs for products, equalizers and pullbacks in every example. The adjunction converts a map into the proposed limit into a compatible family of maps, and the natural bijection converts that family back. This one argument explains preservation of many different constructions. It also makes the canonical comparison maps clear, which matters more than merely guessing an isomorphism of the resulting objects.

The monoidal coherence theorem shows a different benefit. Complicated calculations with bracketed tensor products can become transparent because every structural rebracketing is the unique map between its formal source and target. However, the proof that the pentagon and triangle suffice is real work. Suppressing brackets is justified by that proof; it cannot serve as a substitute for it. Abstraction is valuable precisely because it separates an essential compatibility argument from subsequent routine bookkeeping.

There is also a necessary caution. The general adjoint functor theorem requires a solution-set condition; small-limit preservation by itself does not produce a left adjoint. The reverse-ordinal example makes the missing condition concrete. Similarly, the monad of an adjunction need not capture all the structure in the original category: the tower of nested partial unary operation categories has arbitrary finite monadic length, despite its long composites sharing their first induced monad. These examples prevent formal language from hiding a size problem or an unjustified reconstruction claim.

The persuasive interpretation is that abstraction makes the reason for a result visible and reusable. It often turns the final step into a direct consequence of definitions, while leaving the discovery of those definitions and the verification of their hypotheses as substantial mathematics.

For $L⊣U:\mathcal{D}\to \mathcal{C}$, let $T=UL$ be the induced monad. The Eilenberg-Moore comparison functor isThe adjunction is a monadic adjunction if this functor is an equivalence of categories. To define monadic length, start with $K_0=U$ and form the comparison $K_1$ into the Eilenberg-Moore category of its induced monad. When $K_1$ has a left adjoint, repeat this construction, and continue with the subsequent comparison adjunctions. The length is the least number of comparison steps after which the comparison is an equivalence; an equivalence has length zero and a monadic non-equivalence has length one. The successive left adjoints will all be explicit in this example.

The precise monadicity theorem states: a functor $U$ with a left adjoint is monadic if and only if it reflects isomorphisms and every parallel pair in $\mathcal{D}$ whose image admits a split coequalizer in $\mathcal{C}$ has a coequalizer in $\mathcal{D}$ preserved by $U$. Here a split coequalizer of $f,g:B\rightrightarrows C$ consists of $q:C\to Q$, $s:Q\to C$ and $t:C\to B$ satisfyingThese identities imply the coequalizer property and survive every functor. We shall identify the relevant algebra categories directly, which proves monadicity without having to check quotient constructions separately.

Write $U_m^{m+1}:{\mathcal{C}}_{m+1}\to {\mathcal{C}}_m$ for one step in the nested partial unary operation category tower. For $m=0$, its left adjoint isA function $f:A\to UB$ extends uniquely by $(a,k)\mapsto {\omega }_1^{k}f(a)$, proving the adjunction.

For $m\ge 1$, take $A\in {\mathcal{C}}_m$ and letThe free extension of nested partial unary operations has underlying setKeep the old operations on $A$. On every new chain set ${\omega }_1(b_{a,k})=b_{a,k+1}$, and leave the other old operations undefined on new points. Define the new operation by ${\omega }_{m+1}(a)=b_{a,0}$ for $a\in S_m(A)$, and nowhere else. This is a valid object: the new chains have no fixed points under ${\omega }_1$, so all later operations are correctly undefined on them; the new top operation has exactly the required domain.

If $f:A\to U_m^{m+1}B$ preserves the old operations, it carries $S_m(A)$ into $S_m(B)$. Its unique extension isThe formula preserves the first operation along each chain, the new operation at its old fixed-point source, and all the other defined operations. Conversely these requirements force the formula. This proves the one-step adjunction in every case.

Let $T_m=U_m^{m+1}{F}_m^{m+1}$. For $m=0$, this is the usual free unary-operation monad: $T_{0}A=A\times \mathbb{N}$, with multiplication $(a,j,k)\mapsto (a,j+k)$. An algebra action $h:A\times \mathbb{N}\to A$ obeys $h(a,0)=a$ and $h(h(a,j),k)=h(a,j+k)$. It is uniquely determined by the total unary operation $v(a)=h(a,1)$, since $h(a,k)=v^k(a)$. Algebra morphisms are exactly functions commuting with $v$. Thus ${\mathcal{C}}_0^{T_0}\cong {\mathcal{C}}_1$.

For $m\ge 1$, no new chain point belongs to $S_m(T_{m}A)$, so $S_m(T_{m}A)=S_m(A)$. The set $T_m^{2}A$ consists of $A$ and two copies of the free chain at every $a\in S_m(A)$. Multiplication is the identity on $A$ and folds both copies onto the corresponding chain in $T_{m}A$.

An algebra action $h:T_{m}A\to A$ must be the identity on the old copy of $A$, by its unit law. Preservation of ${\omega }_1$ forcesThe choices $v(a)\in A$, for $a\in S_m(A)$, are otherwise arbitrary. There are no higher old operations to preserve on new points. Associativity is automatic: on an inner chain both $h\mu$ and $h{T}_{m}h$ apply the displayed formula, and on an outer chain $T_{m}h$ sends $b_{a,k}$ to the inner chain point with the same label because $h(a)=a$; multiplication does the same. Therefore $h\mu =h{T}_{m}h$ on every point.

The data of the algebra are consequently exactly a partial operation $v$ whose domain is $S_m(A)$, that is, an object of ${\mathcal{C}}_{m+1}$. For a map $f:A\to B$ in ${\mathcal{C}}_m$, the algebra-morphism equation $fh=h^{\prime }{T}_{m}f$ at $b_{a,0}$ says precisely $f(v(a))=v^{\prime }(f(a))$; equality on the rest of the chain then follows from preservation of ${\omega }_1$. Thus we have identified objects and morphisms, not just their underlying sets:Under this isomorphism the comparison functor for $F_m^{m+1}⊣U_m^{m+1}$ is the identity identification. Hence every one-step forgetful adjunction is monadic.

Now take $n>m$. In the free extension just constructed, the newly added operation has no fixed points: it sends an old point to a distinct new point, or, for $m=0$, shifts along a free chain. Therefore all further operations can only be undefined. Adding them freely adds no more points. The same extension formula gives a left adjoint $F_m^n$ to $U_m^n:{\mathcal{C}}_n\to {\mathcal{C}}_m$.

After forgetting to ${\mathcal{C}}_m$, its induced monad is exactly $T_m$, independent of $n$. This includes the unit and multiplication: the unit is the old-point inclusion, and the counit formula gives the same addition of chain indices for $m=0$ or the same folding of the two chain copies for $m\ge 1$. Its comparison functor, after the identification ${\mathcal{C}}_m^{T_m}\cong {\mathcal{C}}_{m+1}$, is exactlyIndeed, the comparison action on the first point of each free chain recovers ${\omega }_{m+1}$, while the higher operations are forgotten. Thus each comparison step recovers exactly one additional operation. After $n$ steps from sets, the comparison is the identity of ${\mathcal{C}}_n$.

No earlier step is an equivalence. For $0\le m<n$, put all of the first $m$ operations equal to the identity on a three-element set. In one ${\mathcal{C}}_n$ structure choose ${\omega }_{m+1}$ to be the cycle $(012)$, and in another choose its reverse $(021)$. Both have no fixed points at this stage, so every higher operation is undefined. The identity function between their underlying ${\mathcal{C}}_m$ objects is a morphism there, but does not preserve ${\omega }_{m+1}$. Hence $U_m^n$ is not full, and cannot be an equivalence. This also applies for $m=0$, when there are no old operations. We conclude

Put ${\mathcal{C}}_0=\mathbf{Set}$. The initial free construction $L_0:\mathbf{Set}\to {\mathcal{C}}_1$ sends $A$ to $A\times \mathbb{N}$ with ${\alpha }_1(a,k)=(a,k+1)$. A function $f:A\to UB$ extends uniquely by $(a,k)\mapsto {\beta }_1^k(f(a))$. Its induced monad is $T_{0}A=A\times \mathbb{N}$, with unit $a\mapsto (a,0)$ and multiplication $(a,k,l)\mapsto (a,k+l)$. An algebra for a monad is determined by the action of $1\in \mathbb{N}$, so its Eilenberg-Moore category is ${\mathcal{C}}_1$. Thus this first free–forgetful adjunction is a monadic adjunction without needing the given assumption for $n=0$.

The monadic length counts successive Eilenberg-Moore comparison functor steps until the comparison becomes an equivalence. Fix $0\le m<n$. For $m\ge 1$, the free construction in the preceding part adds the $(m+1)$st operation with no fixed points. For $m=0$, the free first operation also has no fixed points. Consequently the left adjoint $F_{n,m}$ to the composite forgetful functor $U_{n,m}:{\mathcal{C}}_n\to {\mathcal{C}}_m$ is obtained by the one-step free construction, followed by empty higher operations. In particular, its underlying object of ${\mathcal{C}}_m$, unit and multiplication are exactly those of the one-step adjunction:as monads, not merely as object functions. The multiplication agrees because both counits evaluate the same first new operation and the same chains; no later operation has a value on a free object.

By the assumed one-step monadic adjunction property, or the explicit argument above when $m=0$, the Eilenberg-Moore category ${\mathcal{C}}_m^{T_m}$ is equivalent to ${\mathcal{C}}_{m+1}$. Under this equivalence the comparison ${\mathcal{C}}_n\to {\mathcal{C}}_m^{T_m}$ is precisely $U_{n,m+1}$. Indeed, its algebra action evaluates each newly adjoined chain using ${\alpha }_1$, and evaluates the first new value using ${\alpha }_{m+1}$; it retains that operation and ignores all higher ones. The comparison has a left adjoint by the same explicit free extension. Thus the whole monadic tower for nested partial unary operations iswith the remaining comparison at stage $m$ equal to $U_{n,m}$, and stage $n$ the identity.

It does not terminate earlier. If $m<n$, take the same underlying two-element set in two objects of ${\mathcal{C}}_n$, making every operation up to $m$ the identity. In the first object make all remaining operations identities; in the second make ${\alpha }_{m+1}$ exchange the two elements, and leave all subsequent operations undefined. Both satisfy the nesting rule. The identity function is a morphism after forgetting to ${\mathcal{C}}_m$, but is not a morphism between the original objects. Thus $U_{n,m}$ is not a full functor, and cannot be an equivalence. Therefore

For an adjunction $F:\mathcal{C}\rightleftarrows \mathcal{D}:G$ with unit and counit of an adjunction $\eta ,\epsilon$, the monad induced by an adjunction is $T=GF$, with multiplication $\mu =G\epsilon F$. Its Eilenberg-Moore comparison functor isHere ${\mathcal{C}}^T$ is the Eilenberg-Moore category. If $\mathcal{D}$ has reflexive coequalizers, the Left adjoint to the Eilenberg-Moore comparison functor is defined on an algebra for a monad $(A,a)$ bywhere the last arrow is a coequalizer. The parallel pair has common section $F{\eta }_A$, so it is a reflexive pair. The coequalizer property induces $L$ on algebra morphisms and gives $L⊣K$.

Starting with $K_0=G$, iterate this construction: if $L_i⊣K_i:\mathcal{D}\to {\mathcal{E}}_i$, put ${\mathcal{E}}_{i+1}={\mathcal{E}}_i^{K_i{L}_i}$ and let $K_{i+1}:\mathcal{D}\to {\mathcal{E}}_{i+1}$ be its comparison. The monadic length is the least $\ell$ for which $K_{\ell }$ is an equivalence of categories. Thus an equivalence has length zero, and an already monadic adjunction whose right adjoint is not an equivalence has length one. The assumed reflexive coequalizers ensure the needed left adjoints; in the example we identify them explicitly.

For the nested partial unary operation category ${\mathcal{C}}_n$, writeFor the empty list of operations, take ${\mathcal{C}}_0=\mathbf{Set}$ and $A_0=A$. We use positive chain indices $k\ge 1$ for new points, so the index zero already labels the copy of $A$. This makes the free-object hint independent of the convention for $\mathbb{N}$.

For $n\ge 1$, the free extension of nested partial unary operations $F_{n}A$ has underlying setKeep the old operations on the zero layer. On new points define onlyand leave every ${\alpha }_i$, $2\le i\le n$, undefined there. Define the new top operation byand leave it undefined elsewhere. These are precisely the permitted domains: the first unary operation on every new point moves it, so none of the higher operations is defined there. When $n=0$, take $F_{0}A=A\times {\mathbb{N}}_{\ge 0}$ with ${\alpha }_1(a,k)=(a,k+1)$. In either case the unit is $a\mapsto (a,0)$.

For $B\in {\mathcal{C}}_{n+1}$, let its operations be ${\beta }_i$. Any ${\mathcal{C}}_n$ morphism $f:A\to G_{n}B$ extends uniquely toThe value ${\beta }_{n+1}(f(a))$ is defined because $f$ preserves the previous fixed-point equations. The extension respects the top operation at old fixed points and respects the first operation along each new chain; there are no other defined operations on those chains to check. Uniqueness follows from the same forced formulas. For $n=0$ the formula is $\bar{f}(a,k)={\beta }_1^k(f(a))$. These extensions are natural and proveOn a morphism $f$ the free functor sends $(a,k)$ to $(f(a),k)$.

Crucially, the top operation of $F_{n}A$ has no fixed points: its defined old values move to new points, and it has no defined new values when $n\ge 1$; for $n=0$ it is the shift. The next free extension therefore adds no points and equips the object with an everywhere-undefined next operation. The same remains true at every subsequent free extension. Hence, for $m>n$, the composite left adjoint $F_{m-1}\cdots F_n$ has the same first $n+1$ operations and underlying set as $F_n$.

This agreement includes the monad structure, not just its underlying endofunctor. The units are the same zero-layer inclusions. The composite counit on an object of ${\mathcal{C}}_m$ is the same forced extension formula, depending only on its first $n+1$ operations. Applying the composite forgetful functor therefore gives the same multiplication $G_n\epsilon F_n$. Thus

Next prove creation of the required split coequalizers. Suppose $f,g:B\rightrightarrows C$ are arrows in ${\mathcal{C}}_{n+1}$ and their images have a split coequalizer $q:C\to Q$ in ${\mathcal{C}}_n$. Choose the splitting orientationwith $s:Q\to C$, $t:C\to B$ morphisms in ${\mathcal{C}}_n$. Denote the top operations on $B,C$ by $b,c$. For $z\in Q_n$ defineSince $s$ preserves the lower operations, $s(z)\in C_n$ and this value exists. For $y\in C_n$, $t(y)\in B_n$, so preservation by $f,g$ givesThus $q$ respects the top operation. The splitting $s$ and $qs=1$ also show that this is the unique operation on its prescribed domain $Q_n$ for which $q$ is a morphism. For $n=0$ all these domains mean the whole underlying set.

If $u:C\to D$ is a ${\mathcal{C}}_{n+1}$ morphism equalizing $f,g$, its unique factor $v:Q\to G_{n}D$ in ${\mathcal{C}}_n$ satisfies, on $Q_n$,where $d$ is the top operation of $D$. Hence $v$ is a ${\mathcal{C}}_{n+1}$ morphism. This proves $G_n$ creates coequalizers of $G_n$-split pairs.

Moreover, $G_n$ reflects isomorphisms: an isomorphism of the first $n$ operations reflects their fixed-point conditions, hence the domain of the next operation; the inverse of a bijective top-operation-preserving map then preserves that operation too. The Beck monadicity theorem now givesUnder this equivalence, the first Eilenberg-Moore comparison functor for the long composite is exactly forgetting all operations after the $(n+1)$st: its algebra structure is the top-operation extension formula already computed. Repeating the argument identifies its monadic tower with the successive categoriesAt each stage the corresponding comparison has the remaining composite of the already constructed free extensions as a left adjoint.

No earlier stage can be an equivalence of categories. For $j<m$, take the two-point set with its first $j$ operations all identities. One extension to ${\mathcal{C}}_m$ has every later operation the identity; another has its $(j+1)$st operation interchange the two points, and all subsequent operations undefined. Both have the same image in ${\mathcal{C}}_j$, but the identity function between those images is not a morphism between the extensions. Thus forgetting from ${\mathcal{C}}_m$ to ${\mathcal{C}}_j$ is not full. The final comparison at $j=m$ is an equivalence. This proves the monadic tower for nested partial unary operations has

For $F⊣G$ with unit $\eta$ and counit $\epsilon$, the monad induced by an adjunction iswith unit $\eta$. An algebra for a monad is $(A,a:TA\to A)$ satisfying $a{\eta }_A=1_A$ and $aT(a)=a{\mu }_A$.

The Eilenberg-Moore comparison functor isIf $\mathcal{D}$ has coequalizers of reflexive pairs, definefor a $T$-algebra $(A,a)$. The pair has common section $F{\eta }_A$. Maps $L(A,a)\to D$ correspond by the coequalizer property and the adjunction exactly to algebra morphisms $(A,a)\to K(D)$, naturally in both variables. Hence this is the Left adjoint to the Eilenberg-Moore comparison functor. The monadic length is the least number of successive comparison steps required for the resulting monadic tower to become an equivalence.

For $A\in {\mathcal{C}}_n$, let $A_n=\{a:{\alpha }_n(a)=a\}$. The free ${\mathcal{C}}_{n+1}$-object has underlying setRetain all old operations on $A\times \{0\}$. Putand on every new chain putFor $i>1$, ${\alpha }_i$ is undefined on the new points because none is fixed by ${\alpha }_1$. These definitions satisfy the domain conditions. If $f:A\to U(B^{\prime })$ is a ${\mathcal{C}}_n$-morphism, its unique extension sendsThis proves the required left adjoint.

After adjoining ${\alpha }_{m+1}$ freely, the newly added points lie on fixed-point-free ${\alpha }_1$-chains, while each old point where ${\alpha }_{m+1}$ was added is no longer fixed by ${\alpha }_{m+1}$. Consequently there are no points at which a further free operation must be adjoined. Thus for every $n>m$ the endofunctor and unit/multiplication of the monad induced on ${\mathcal{C}}_m$ are already those induced by ${\mathcal{C}}_m\rightleftarrows {\mathcal{C}}_{m+1}$.

By assumption each adjacent adjunction is a monadic adjunction. The first comparison for ${\mathcal{C}}_m\rightleftarrows {\mathcal{C}}_n$ therefore recovers ${\mathcal{C}}_{m+1}$, and iteration successively recovers ${\mathcal{C}}_{m+2},\dots ,{\mathcal{C}}_n$. None of the intervening forgetful functors is an equivalence, since the next partial operation can be chosen differently on a fixed point. Starting at ${\mathcal{C}}_0$ takes exactly $n$ steps:

For $F:\mathcal{C}\rightleftarrows \mathcal{D}:G$ with $F⊣G$, the monad induced by an adjunction is $T=GF$, with unit the adjunction unit and multiplication $\mu =G\epsilon F$. An algebra for a monad is a map $a:TA\to A$ satisfying $a{\eta }_A=1_A$ and $aT(a)=a{\mu }_A$. The Eilenberg-Moore comparison functor isand sends a morphism $h$ to $Gh$.

Given a $T$-algebra $(A,a)$, form in $\mathcal{D}$ the coequalizerThe pair is reflexive, with common section $F{\eta }_A$, so it exists by hypothesis. A map $J(A,a)\to D$ is equivalently a map $FA\to D$ equalizing the pair. Under adjunction this is exactly a map $A\to GD$ satisfying the $T$-algebra homomorphism equation. Hencenaturally, and $J⊣K$. Iterating these comparison adjunctions gives the monadic tower; the monadic length is the least number of steps required to reach an equivalence.

For a pair of sets $(X_0,X_1)$, defineA pair of maps $X_0\to A_0$, $X_1\to A_1$ extends uniquely to a commutative square from this inclusion to any injection $A_0\hookrightarrow A_1$, proving that $F$ is left adjoint to the forgetful functor $U:\mathbf{Mono}(\mathbf{Set})\to \mathbf{Set}\times \mathbf{Set}$.

The induced monad sends $(X_0,X_1)$ to $(X_0,X_0\bigsqcup X_1)$. Its algebra unit laws show that an algebra is precisely an arbitrary function $X_0\to X_1$, with no injectivity requirement. Thus its Eilenberg-Moore category is the arrow category $[2,\mathbf{Set}]$, and the comparison functor is the full inclusion of injections into all functions. This inclusion is not an equivalence, so the original adjunction is not monadic. It is reflective: a function $f:A_0\to A_1$ maps to its image inclusion $\mathrm{im}f\hookrightarrow A_1$. The supplied result that reflections are monadic says that the next comparison is an equivalence. Therefore the original adjunction has monadic length $2$.