What is the solution to x + 5 = -3?

To solve the equation x + 5 = -3, the goal is to isolate the variable x. The first step is to eliminate the constant on the left side of the equation. This can be accomplished by subtracting 5 from both sides:

x + 5 - 5 = -3 - 5

This simplifies to:

x = -3 - 5

Calculating the right side gives:

x = -8

Thus, the solution is x = -8. Since option C presents -8 as an answer and also denotes it with a decimal format (-8.0), it reflects the same numerical value. Both representations are considered equivalent in mathematics.

This is why choosing -8, whether written as an integer or as -8.0 in decimal form, confirms that it aligns with the correct solution to the equation.