1. **State the problem:** Find the approximate area, in square inches, of the shaded region in a rectangle 12 in. wide and 6 in. high containing two side-by-side circles each with diameter 6 in. (Use $\pi \approx 3.14$). 2. **Identify the shapes and dimensions:** - Rectangle: width = 12 in, height = 6 in - Two circles side-by-side, each with diameter = 6 in, so radius $r = \frac{6}{2} = 3$ in. 3. **Formula for area:** - Area of rectangle: $A_{rect} = \text{width} \times \text{height} = 12 \times 6 = 72$ sq in. - Area of one circle: $A_{circle} = \pi r^2 = 3.14 \times 3^2 = 3.14 \times 9 = 28.26$ sq in. - Area of two circles: $2 \times 28.26 = 56.52$ sq in. 4. **Calculate shaded area:** The shaded region is the rectangle minus the two circles inside it: $$ \text{Shaded area} = A_{rect} - 2 \times A_{circle} = 72 - 56.52 = 15.48 $$ 5. **Approximate answer:** Rounded to one decimal place, the shaded area is $15.5$ square inches. **Final answer:** $15.5$ square inches.