Answer:
$34
Step-by-step explanation:
I'd work backwards.
For the third book, she paid all her remaining money. The problem says she paid "1/2 her leftover money + $3". This means that: (let m = money used to buy book 3)
m = 1/2m + 3
1/2m = 3
m = 6
For the second book: (let n = money before book 2)
n - m (money left after book 2) = 1/2n + 2
1/2n +2 is money used up for book, which is the same as n-m.
n = 1/2n + 2 + m
1/2n = 2 + m = 2 + 6
1/2n =8
n = 16
For the first book, she spent 1/2 her money + 1. If o = money before book 1 (or the whole allowance):
o - n = 1/2o + 1
o = 1/2o + n + 1 = 1/2o + 16 + 1
1/2o = 17
o = 34
Check!
Spent 17 (half 34) + 1 on book 1
16 left
Spent 8 (half 16) +2 on book 2
6 left
Spent 3 (half 6) + 3 on book 3
0 left
The area of the table is 3.75 feet
The boxes are .83333 feet by .83333 feet so that area is .69
.69x3 is 2.07 so yes they will fit on top of the table