1. The problem is to perform addition or subtraction of numbers. 2. The general rule is: when adding numbers, combine their values; when subtracting, take away the second number from the first. 3. For example, if the problem is $5 + 3$, then add to get $8$. 4. If the problem is $7 - 4$, subtract to get $3$. 5. Always align numbers by their place values when adding or subtracting multi-digit numbers. 6. If there are negative numbers, remember that subtracting a negative is the same as adding a positive. 7. Without a specific problem given, this is the general approach to add or subtract numbers.