Simplify the following text for a Grade 10 native English-speaking person.
Original: The central technique is add , subtract , multiply , or divide both sides of the equation by the same number in order to isolate the variable on one side of the equation .
Simplified: To solve a simple equation with one unknown amount add , subtract , multiply , or divide both sides of the equation by the same number in order to put the unknown amount , x , on one side of the equation .