1. **State the problem:** We need to find the shaded area of an annulus, which is the region between two concentric circles with radii 6.5 cm and 2.3 cm. 2. **Formula:** The area of an annulus is given by the difference of 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:** $$\text{Area} = \pi (6.5^2 - 2.3^2)$$ 4. **Calculate squares:** $$6.5^2 = 42.25$$ $$2.3^2 = 5.29$$ 5. **Subtract inside the parentheses:** $$42.25 - 5.29 = 36.96$$ 6. **Calculate the area:** $$\text{Area} = \pi \times 36.96$$ 7. **Use $\pi \approx 3.1416$:** $$\text{Area} \approx 3.1416 \times 36.96 = 116.07$$ 8. **Round to 3 significant figures:** $$\boxed{116 \text{ cm}^2}$$ The shaded area of the annulus is approximately 116 cm squared to 3 significant figures.