if a lesser integer is being subtracted from a greater integer, is the answer positive or is it negative?

it's positive~

example for (+) answer:
7 - 3 = 4
**3 (the lesser integer) is being subtracted from 7 (greater integer)
other examples,
-3 - (-8) = 5
0 - (-2) = 2
2 - (-1) = 3

hope this helps~ :)