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