chmod 777 is not changing the permissions to

chmod 777 The chmod command allows users to change read and write permissions in Unix systems. This guide covers how to use chmod to view and modify these permission on. View (u)ser, (g)roup and (o)thers permissions for chmod 777 (chmod a+rwx) or use free on chmod calculator to modify permissions easily.

an777com, I'm trying to change the permissions of temp_dir to 777. Why are these commands not accomplishing that? I'm using Linux by the way..