That's right. The first number in an ordered pair is usually x (the independent variable) which is usually the horizontal axis (number line). Negative x values lie on this horizontal to the left of the origin while positive x values lie to the right of the origin. The second number in an ordered pair is usually y (the dependent variable) which is usually the vertical axis (a vertical number line like a thermometer). Negative y values lie below the origin, while positive y values lie above the origin.
You count the number of units by starting at the origin itself and counting units in steps away from the origin, left, right, above (up) or below (down). So, for example, 1 and -1 are both one step away from the origin but going in opposite directions.