If the addends have different signs, you do not add their absolute values. Subtract the smaller absolute value from the larger one and keep the sign of the number whose absolute value is larger.
On a number line this looks like moves in opposite directions; the result depends on which shift “wins”.
Different signs: ∣a∣−∣b∣ by absolute values, sign of the larger absolute value
If the absolute values are equal, the sum is 0
It helps to compare ∣a∣ and ∣b∣ first
Worked examples: different signs
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