Step 1: Formula for the area of a circle.
The area \( A \) of a circle is given by the formula:
\[
A = \pi r^2
\]
Step 2: Differentiating with respect to \( r \).
To find the rate of change of the area with respect to \( r \), we differentiate \( A \) with respect to \( r \):
\[
\frac{dA}{dr} = 2\pi r
\]
Step 3: Substituting \( r = 6 \, \text{cm} \).
Substituting \( r = 6 \) into the equation, we get:
\[
\frac{dA}{dr} = 2\pi (6) = 12\pi \, \text{cm}^2/\text{cm}
\]
Step 4: Conclusion.
Thus, the rate of change of the area of the circle at \( r = 6 \, \text{cm} \) is \( 12\pi \, \text{cm}^2/\text{cm} \).