The notation "f(x, y)" represents a function that takes two inputs, typically denoted as x and y. In mathematics, a function is a rule that assigns each input a unique output. The variables x and y can represent numbers, coordinates, or other quantities, and the function defines how these inputs interact to produce a result. For example, if we have a function like f(x, y) = x + y, it means that for any values of x and y, the output will be their sum. Functions like this are commonly used in various fields, including algebra, calculus, and computer science, to model relationships between different variables.