If you write down all the numbers from 1 to 100, then how many times do you write 3?

Clearly, from 1 to 100, there are ten numbers with 3 as the unit's digit- 3, 13, 23, 33, 43, 53, 63, 73, 83, 93; and ten numbers with 3 as the ten's digit - 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39.

So, required number = 10 + 10 = 20.