Question

John read the first 114 pages of the novel, which was 3 less than 1/3 of the novel

Answer 1

let p = total pages in the book 
114 pages of a novel which was 3 pages less than 1/3 
114 was 1/3 total pages - 3 pages 
114 = 1/3p - 3

Answer 2

114x3=142-3=339 three thirty nine