clarify visual authoring order vs mathematical application for transform property

[low-perry]

Description

This PR clarifies the relationship between the written order of transform functions (left-to-right) and their mathematical application (right-to-left). It emphasizes that each function modifies the local coordinate system for subsequent functions, which is why the visual result follows the authoring order

Motivation

The current wording in the Values section ("effectively applied in order from right to left") creates a mental mismatch for developers. While mathematically true for point-mapping , it contradicts the visual intuition described in the Transform order section, where a rotation "tilts" the axes for a following translation. These changes bridge that gap by explaining that functions establish cumulative coordinate spaces.

Additional details

This clarification is based on the CSS Transforms Module Level 1 and 2 specifications:

• Matrix Composition (L-to-R): The transformation matrix is computed by multiplying functions from left to right.
• Coordinate Systems: Each function establishes a new local coordinate system for the element.
• Mathematical Application (R-to-L): Mapping a point from the element to the parent effectively happens in reverse order.

Related issues and pull requests

Fixes #43180

[github-actions]

Preview URLs (1 page)

• /en-US/docs/Web/CSS/Reference/Properties/transform

Flaws (9)

Found an unexpected or unresolvable flaw? Please report it here.

URL: /en-US/docs/Web/CSS/Reference/Properties/transform
Title: transform
Flaw count: 9

• broken_links:
  • Link /en-US/docs/Web/CSS/Reference/Values/zero doesn't resolve
  • Link /en-US/docs/Web/CSS/Reference/Values/zero doesn't resolve
  • Link /en-US/docs/Web/CSS/Reference/Values/zero doesn't resolve
  • Link /en-US/docs/Web/CSS/Reference/Values/zero doesn't resolve
  • Link /en-US/docs/Web/CSS/Reference/Values/zero doesn't resolve
  • and 4 more flaws omitted

[mao-sz]

If the practical reality (as far as a developer would be concerned in order to know how to read composite transforms) is left-to-right, then animation-composition will require amending accordingly.

I do not know if similar right-to-left descriptions exist in other pages.

[low-perry]

@mao-sz I think you are 100% correct, but I'd love to keep this PR focused on the transform property as our 'source of truth' first, though.
Once we land this, we’ll have a clear standard to align the other pages as a follow-up