Answer
$f(x)$ means $f$ of $x$ or the value of the function $f$ at $x$.
Work Step by Step
$f(x)$ does not mean $f$ times $x$.
$f(x)$ means $f$ of $x$ -- the value of a function $f$ at $x$.
For example:
$f(x) = x+2$.
$f(2)$ means the value of the function when x = 2.
So
$f(2) = 2+2
\\f(2) = 4.$
