The inequality \(-2 < 1\) indicates that \(-2\) is located to the left of \(1\) on a number line. In terms of relative position, this means that if you visualize a horizontal line with numbers marked on it, \(-2\) will be found at a point that is further to the left than the point where \(1\) is marked.
In simpler terms, \(-2\) is smaller than \(1\), which also shows that as you move from left to right on the number line, you pass through \(-2\) before you reach \(1\). This reinforces the understanding that all numbers to the left of another number on the number line are smaller than that number.