Evaluate $x^3 + x^2 + x + 1$ when $x = 3$.
I need to plug in 3 for x in the expression and simplify using the order of operations. So I have $(3)^3 + (3)^2 + 3 + 1$. To simplify this, I need to evaluate the exponents first. I know that $3^3 = 27$ and $3^2 = 9$, so I can write $27 + 9 + 3 + 1$. Now I just need to add these terms from left to right. I get $27 + 9 = 36$, then $36 + 3 = 39$, and finally $39 + 1 = 40$. 