What does the page number in an MLA in-text citation refer to?

In an MLA in-text citation, the page number refers to the specific page or pages in the source where the information being cited can be found. When citing a direct quotation, the page number should immediately follow the quotation, separated by a comma, and should include the specific page(s) where the quoted material appears in the original source. For paraphrased or summarized information, the page number should follow the author's name and publication date, separated by a comma. By providing the page number, readers can easily locate the specific information being cited within the source.