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The answer is quite simple. Most people want to multiply numbers without having to use the * symbol, e.g. 3x vs 3*x.

So given that this exists in Mathematica, using () for function arguments would introduce ambiguity.

Is f(x + y) meant to be f[x + y] or f*(x + y)?

This is actually a problem Wolfram|Alpha faces since its allows for all forms of inputs.

Other languages like C chose the other route, which means you must use * to indicate multiplication. Given that Mathematica's original purpose was for mathematics, I think the right choice was made.

The answer is quite simple. Most people want to multiply numbers without having to use the * symbol, e.g. 3x vs 3*x.

So given that this exists in Mathematica, using () for function arguments would introduce ambiguity.

Is f(x + y) meant to be f[x + y] or f*(x + y)?

This is actually a problem Wolfram|Alpha faces since it allows for all forms of inputs.

Other languages like C chose the other route, which means you must use * to indicate multiplication. Given that Mathematica's original purpose was for mathematics, I think the right choice was made.

The answer is quite simple. Most people want to multiply numbers without having to use the * symbol, e.g. 3x vs 3*x.

So given that this exists in Mathematica, using () for function arguments would introduce ambiguity.

Is f(x + y) meant to be f[x + y] or f*(x + y)?

This is actually a problem Wolfram|Alpha can face since we try to allow for all forms of inputs.

Other languages like C chose the other route, which means you must use * to indicate multiplication (something that annoys me). Given that Mathematica's original purpose was for mathematics, I think the right choice was made.

The answer is quite simple. Most people want to multiply numbers without having to use the * symbol, e.g. 3x vs 3*x.

So given that this exists in Mathematica, using () for function arguments would introduce ambiguity.

Is f(x + y) meant to be f[x + y] or f*(x + y)?

This is actually a problem Wolfram|Alpha faces since its allows for all forms of inputs.

Other languages like C chose the other route, which means you must use * to indicate multiplication. Given that Mathematica's original purpose was for mathematics, I think the right choice was made.

The answer is quite simple. Most people want to multiply numbers without having to use the * symbol, e.g. 3x vs 3*x.

So given that this exists in Mathematica, using () for function arguments would introduce ambiguity.

Is f(x + y) meant to be f[x + y] or f*(x + y)?

This is actually a problem Wolfram|Alpha can face since we try to allow for all forms of inputs.

Other languages like C chose the other route, which means you must use * to indicate multiplication (something that annoys me). Given that Mathematica's original purpose was for mathematics, I think they made the right choice.

The answer is quite simple. Most people want to multiply numbers without having to use the * symbol, e.g. 3x vs 3*x.

So given that this exists in Mathematica, using () for function arguments would introduce ambiguity.

Is f(x + y) meant to be f[x + y] or f*(x + y)?

This is actually a problem Wolfram|Alpha can face since we try to allow for all forms of inputs.

Other languages like C chose the other route, which means you must use * to indicate multiplication (something that annoys me). Given that Mathematica's original purpose was for mathematics, I think the right choice was made.