Let the size of the sides of the bottom of the box be x and y, and let the size of the sides of the square she cuts be z, then:
xy = 80 . . . (1)
2z + x = 11 => x = 11 - 2z . . . (2)
2z + y = 16 => y = 16 - 2z . . . (3)
Putting (2) and (3) in (1) gives
(11 - 2z)(16 - 2z) = 80
176 - 22z - 32z + 4z^2 = 80
4z^2 - 54z + 176 = 80
4z^2 - 54z + 96 = 0
z = 2.106
Therefore, the size of the sides of the square she cuts is 2.106 inches.