$解:如图,过点E作EG⊥BC于点G,$
$∴∠EGF=90°,EG=CD=4\mathrm{cm}. $
$在\mathrm{Rt}△EGF中,$
$由勾股定理,得FG= \sqrt{5^2-4^2}=3(\mathrm{cm}). $
$设CF=xcm, $
$由(1)知,BG=AE=PE=CF=x\mathrm{cm}. $
$∵AD//BC,$
$∴∠DEF=∠BFE,$
$由折叠得∠BFE=∠DFE, $
$∴∠DEF=∠DFE.$
$∴DE=DF=BF=(x+3)\mathrm{cm}.$
$在\mathrm{Rt}△CDF中,$
$由勾股定理,得DF^2=CD^2+CF^2,$
$∴(x+3)^2=4^2+x^2,解得x=\frac{7}{6},$
$ \begin{aligned}∴BC&=2x+3 \\ &=\frac{7}{3}+3 \\ &=\frac{16}{3}(\mathrm{cm}). \\ \end{aligned}$