Answer
In the year 2000 there were 341 millions of English language speakers.
Work Step by Step
Let X represent the number of speakers of the English language in the year 2000, in millions.
Three times the speakers of the English language means 3X
149 million less than three times the speakers of the English language means 3X - 149.
In the year 2000 there were 874 million speakers of the Chinese Mandarin language.
So, we obtain: 3X - 149 = 874
Add 149 to both sides
3X = 1023
Divide both sides by 3
X = 341
