When do people add when subtracting integers?

When subtracting integers, people often add the opposite of the number being subtracted. This means that instead of performing the subtraction directly, they convert it into an addition problem by changing the sign of the integer being subtracted. For example, to calculate (5 - 3), one can think of it as (5 + (-3)), which simplifies the process and helps avoid mistakes. This method is particularly useful when dealing with negative numbers, ensuring that the operation remains consistent.