If $x$ and $y$ are non-zero real numbers such that
\[|x|+y=3 \qquad \text{and} \qquad |x|y+x^3=0,\]
then the integer nearest to $x-y$ is
$\textbf{(A)}\ -3 \qquad\textbf{(B)}\ -1 \qquad\textbf{(C)}\ 2 \qquad\textbf{(D)}\ 3 \qquad\textbf{(E)}\ 5$
We have two cases to consider: $x$ is positive or $x$ is negative. If $x$ is positive, we have $x+y=3$ and $xy+x^3=0$
Solving for $y$ in the top equation gives us $3-x$. Plugging this in gives us: $x^3-x^2+3x=0$.  Since we're told $x$ is not zero, we can divide by $x$, giving us: $x^2-x+3=0$
The discriminant of this is $(-1)^2-4(1)(3)=-11$, which means the equation has no real solutions. 
We conclude that $x$ is negative. In this case $-x+y=3$ and $-xy+x^3=0$.  Negating the top equation gives us $x-y=-3$. We seek $x-y$, so the answer is $\boxed{(A) -3}$
-solution by jmania