Final answer:
After adding the two pieces of scrap wood, Pamela will have a total of 57 3/4 inches. For three legs of the stool, each being 16 1/2 inches, she will need 49 1/2 inches. This leaves Pamela with an excess length of 8 1/4 inches of scrap wood.
Step-by-step explanation:
To find the total length of the two pieces of scrap wood, we need to add the lengths of each piece: 36 5/8 inches and 21 1/8 inches. First, we convert the measurements to improper fractions. Thus, 36 5/8 inches becomes 293/8 inches, and 21 1/8 inches becomes 169/8 inches. Adding the two lengths, we have 293/8 + 169/8 = 462/8, which simplifies to 57 3/4 inches.
Next, we determine the total length needed to make three legs of the stool, each being 16 1/2 inches long. We convert 16 1/2 inches into an improper fraction, which is 33/2 inches.
Multiplying that by three, we need 99/2 inches, or 49 1/2 inches, to make all three legs. To find the excess length of wood, we subtract the total length needed for the legs from the total length of the scrap wood. So, 57 3/4 inches minus 49 1/2 inches gives us an excess of 8 1/4 inches.