Please explain adding and subtracting Integers

Question

I am trying to start again with math, giving it a second shot after i completly gave up on math for about 10y. I looked up multiple cheet sheets and rules, but they all say different things. My problem especially +29 – +59. The rule thing i got from the internet says + – + = larger integer’s sign, but then another tutorial said well if you reverse + and -, then you can get the answer that way, but they are 2 different answers. And i’m confused too about what, like what’s the point of doing the operations if we can just change whatever symbols we want, but then we do but nothing matches as the result so i’m just confused.

I just don’t get it, none of the rules match and in my head none of it even makes any sense. So i feel like i need to memorize the rules, but there are no rules. Pls help, i started crying due to the fustration because now i remembered why i despised math so much.

Update: I started being able to complete operations, even of 5 in a row. Thank you all! Ended up dropping tje unecessary + and just – – = + idk, but i’m doing it.

In: 2

Answer 1

I teach remedial math to high schoolers, so this is my wheelhouse (though much harder to do thru text).

> The rule thing i got from the internet says + – + = larger integer’s sign,

Best to not look at any of that stuff. Use common sense.
• If you were 10ft above sea level and went down 3ft, you are now 7ft above sea level.
• If you were 10ft above sea level and went down 10ft, you are now 0ft above sea level (you are at sea level, 0ft).
• If you were 10ft above sea level and went down 13ft, you are now below sea level due to an excess of 3ft, so -3ft or 3ft below sea level.

_______
If you want, you can think of there never ever being such a thing as subtracting (at least for this level of math), just adding negatives.

5-2 = 3
5+(-2) = 3
5-(-2) = 7
5+2 = 7

Adding positive numbers move right on the number line.
Adding negative numbers move left on the number line.
Subtracting positive numbers move left on the number line.
Subtracting negative numbers move right on the number line.

_______