1. **State the problem:** Simplify the expression $x + x \times x$. 2. **Recall the order of operations:** Multiplication is performed before addition. 3. **Apply the order of operations:** $$x + x \times x = x + x^2$$ 4. **Final simplified expression:** $$x + x^2$$ This is the simplest form since $x$ and $x^2$ are unlike terms and cannot be combined further.