The first number in the ordered pair is the x coordinate. It describes the number of units to the left or right of the origin. The second number in the ordered pair is the y coordinate. It describes the number of units above or below the origin. To plot a point, start at the origin and count along the x axis until you reach the x coordinate, count right for positive numbers, left for negative. Then count up or down the number of the y coordinate (up for positive, down for negative.)