1. **Problem Statement:** Find the area of the shaded region, which is an annulus (ring shape) with outer radius $7$ cm and inner radius $3$ cm. 2. **Formula:** The area of an annulus is given by the difference between the areas of the outer and inner circles: $$\text{Area} = \pi R^2 - \pi r^2 = \pi (R^2 - r^2)$$ where $R$ is the outer radius and $r$ is the inner radius. 3. **Substitute values:** $$R = 7, \quad r = 3$$ 4. **Calculate:** $$\text{Area} = \pi (7^2 - 3^2) = \pi (49 - 9) = \pi \times 40$$ 5. **Final answer:** $$\text{Area} = 40\pi \text{ cm}^2$$ This is the exact area of the shaded annulus region.