Not in mathematics, but in other domains of science it can. A good example is bronze, the hard but malleable metal once made into weapons and shields.
Bronze is composed of two other metals, tin and copper, both of which are too soft to stop an arrow.
The issue of synergy has become important today because of its potential role in measuring chemical effects. This is precisely the claim being made about a class of chemicals known as endocrine disrupters. The news hit like a bombshell and helped convince wary legislators that more needed to be done. Congress quickly agreed with the EPA to mandate further chemical screening and testing. But hold on.