List( 1, 2, 3, 4 ).reduce( (x,y) => x + y ) == (((1+2)+3)+4)
Step 1 : op( 1, 2 ) will be the first evaluation.
Start with 1, 2, that is
x is 1 and y is 2
Step 2: op( op( 1, 2 ), 3 ) - take the next element 3
Take the next element 3:
x is op(1,2) = 3 and y = 3
Step 3: op( op( op( 1, 2 ), 3 ), 4)
Take the next element 4:
x is op(op(1,2), 3 ) = op( 3,3 ) = 6 and y is 4