What do (2S,3S) and similar notations mean? When my textbook is discussing stereoisomers with more than one chiral centers, it's using notation like (2S,3S) being an enantiomer with (2R,3R) and so forth. I understand R and S configuration, and I'm guessing there are two items in each brackets to represent the two chiral centers (so 2S, 3S would at least mean that both chiral centers have an S configuration), but I don't understand what the numbers preceding the configuration mean. What does the 2 in 2S mean and what does the 3 in 3R mean? I was unable to find an explanation in the text and it seems that their meaning is assumed. Can I get some help?
When naming a organic compound, S/R-notation comes if there is a chiral atom present. The S/R-notation always accompanies a numerical such as (2S,3R)- where the numerical refers to the chiral carbon position in the molecule according to the IUPAC numbering while R and S representate the orientation of the chiral atom according to the Cahn–Ingold–Prelog priority rules. For example, let's look at glyceraldehyde molecules where all this stereochemistry started from:

The IUPAC name of glyceraldehyde is 2,3-dihydroxypropanal. However, it has a one chiral carbon at $\ce{C}$2 and hence has two stereoisomers. The priority order of groups attached to chiral carbon is $\ce{-OH \gt -CHO \gt -CH2OH \gt -H}$. Hence you can look at the $1 \rightarrow 2 \rightarrow 3$ priority group rotation through the bond of chiral carbon and least priority group, which is $\ce{H}$ here (though $\ce{C-H}$ bond). Accordingly, the rotation for the first compound is clockwise as shown in the image, thus it carries (R)-notation. Since chiral carbon is 2 according to the IUPAC rules, the complete notation is (2R)-. Similarly, the mirror image is caring (2S)-notation since it has counterclockwise rotation as depicted in the image. Therefore complete names of these two isomewrs are (2R)-2,3-dihydroxypropanal and (2S)-2,3-dihydroxypropanal (Note that these isomers are called enantiomers).
In addition, if a $\ce{H}$ in $\ce{C}$3 is replaced by another different group, say it is $\ce{CH3}$ group, it will also become chiral and can have either (S) or (R) rotation. Suppose you replace $\ce{H}$ in $\ce{C}$3 of (2R)-2,3-dihydroxypropanal by a $\ce{CH3}$ group making it has (S) rotation. By addition of $\ce{CH3}$ group make it 2,3-dihydroxybutanal. With correct stereochemistry, its correct name is (2R,3S)-2,3-dihydroxybutanal.