Choice Ahoice C is the correct answer. Even when the result is negative, we use the same inverse operation strategy.

1. Start with the equation: $x - 8 = -3$
2. Add 8 to both sides: $x = -3 + 8$
3. Calculate: $x = 5$
4. Verify: $5 - 8 = -3$ ✓

This problem shows that even when we see negative numbers, the solving process remains the same: add to undo subtraction.

💡 Working with Negatives: When adding a positive to a negative, think of it as $-3 + 8 = 8 - 3 = 5$.

Choice Ahoice D is incorrect because this results from adding 8 to 3 (using the absolute value): $3 + 8 = 11$. This ignores the negative sign.

Choice Ahoice D is incorrect because this might come from subtracting instead of adding: $-3 - 8 = -11$. This applies subtraction twice.

Choice Ahoice C is incorrect because this is the negative of the correct answer. Some students might calculate correctly but then mistakenly apply a negative sign.