TITLE: Why do we put the f on the left of x?
QUESTION [12 upvotes]: Does anyone know how historically we came to notate functions as f(x) instead of (x)f?
For example g(f(x)) instead of ((x)f)g or for matrices B A x instead of x A B.
After all (in the Western world) we write from left to right, but in mathematics we notate operations from right to left. Also if anyone of Arabian origin sees that, does it mean you don't have that particular confusion?

REPLY [2 votes]: To my recollection this notation goes back to Leonard Euler.