Question

The ratio of the side lengths of a triangle is 4:5:8. If the perimeter is 38.25cm, what is the length in cm of the shortest side?

Answer 1

If the ratio of sides is 4:5:8, then the sum must be a multiple of (4+5+8)=17

38.25/17=2.25  so each "part" of the ratio is equal to 2.25.

Since the smallest side is 4 of those parts its length is:

4*2.25=9cm

Answer 2

9.0235294, this is roughly equal to 9 cm.
This is the length of the smallest side.