All, Both this: %output=pdf \starttext We use the notation $(2,4)$ to denote what is called an {\em ordered pair}. If you think of the positions taken by \placefigure [left][fig:ordpair] {}{\externalfigure[section1figs-mpgraph.1]} ordered pairs $(4,2)$ and $(2,4)$ in the coordinate plane (see \in{Figure}[fig:ordpair]), then it is immediately apparent why order is important. The ordered pair $(4,2)$ is simply not the same as the ordered pair $(2,4)$. \stoptext And this: %output=pdf \starttext We use the notation $(2,4)$ to denote what is called an {\em ordered pair}. If you think of the positions taken by \placefigure [left][fig:ordpair] {}{\externalfigure[section1figs-mpgraph.1]} ordered pairs $(4,2)$ and $(2,4)$ in the coordinate plane (see \in{Figure}[fig:ordpair]), then it is immediately apparent why order is important. The ordered pair $(4,2)$ is simply not the same as the ordered pair $(2,4)$. \stoptext Lead to the same attached result. This is not the behavior expected. Any ideas?