For disubsituted benzenes: There are three possible relative positions for two substituents on a benzene ring. The relative positions can be indicated by numbers; however, they are commonly designated by the prefixes
ortho (
o-),
meta (
m-) or
para (
p-). The relationship between the two systems is seen in the examples below for any substituents G.
 |  |  |
ortho (o-) 1,2- | meta (m-) 1,3- | para (p-) 1,4- |
For trisubstituted benzenes: The relative positions of the substituents are identified by the number of the carbon atom to which they are attached.