jmc

Since the ratio of the area of $A$ to the shaded area inside $B$ is $1:3$, the ratio of the area of $A$ to the entire area of $B$ is $1:(3+1)=1:4$. Since the area of $B$ is 4 times the area of $A$, the radius of $B$ is twice the radius of $A$, which means the diameter of $A$ is half the diameter of $B$, or $\boxed{8\text{ cm}}$.