1. The problem asks to calculate the area of a circle with radius $r=3$ inches. 2. The formula for the area of a circle is $$A = \pi r^2$$ where $\pi \approx 3.14$. 3. Substitute the radius into the formula: $$A = 3.14 \times 3^2$$. 4. Calculate the square of the radius: $$3^2 = 9$$. 5. Multiply: $$A = 3.14 \times 9 = 28.26$$. 6. The area of the circle is $28.26$ square inches, rounded to the nearest hundredth.