To determine which side of a triangle will be the shortest side in the context of a ramp, we can consider the components: the vertical rise, the length of the ramp, and the horizontal distance.
- Vertical Rise: This is the height the ramp rises.
- Horizontal Distance: This is the distance from the base of the ramp to the point directly beneath the top of the ramp.
- Length of Ramp: This is the hypotenuse of the triangle formed by the ramp.
In a right triangle, the shortest side is always the one opposite the smallest angle. In most cases regarding ramps, the Vertical Rise will be the shortest side, as it is the vertical component compared to the horizontal distance and the length of the ramp (which is the hypotenuse and therefore always the longest side).
Therefore, the answer is:
Vertical Rise