(a). 9 layers
(b). 285
In the question,
The Square Pyramid is needed to be made from the cans.
The base of the pyramid has = 81 cans
So,
Side of the Square = s
So,
[tex]s^{2}=81\\s = 9[/tex]
Therefore, the number of cans on one side of the square base = 9 cans
So,
The number of cans will be reducing by 1 in each layer upto the point we are left with only 1 can in the top.
So,
1st layer = 9 cans
2nd layer = 8 cans
3rd layer = 7 cans
4th layer = 6 cans
5th layer = 5 cans
6th layer = 4 cans
7th layer = 3 cans
8th layer = 2 cans
9th layer = 1 can
Number of layers are = 9
(b).
Total number of cans used by Lydia and Adam will be,
Sum of number of cans in all the layers.
[tex]Number\,of\,cans=9^{2}+8^{2}+7^{2}+6^{2}+5^{2}+4^{2}+3^{2}+2^{2}+1^{2}\\Number\,of\,cans=81+64+49+36+25+16+9+4+1\\Number\,of\,cans=285[/tex]
Therefore, the number of cans = 285