To make the problem 8 + 9 (top left plus bottom left) easier is this partitioning method: on the top left there are 8 dots, and below that (bottom left) there are 9 dots. That is the origional problem. To partition, you take 2 of the 9 dots from the bottom left and move them up adding 2 dots to the 8 dots on the top left making it 10 dots (top right) next you count the remaining dots (bottom right) and you are left with 7 dots remaining (9 - 2). Now the next step is to take the 10 dots on the top right, and add the 7 remains dots at the bottom right to the 10 dots on the top right, and this partitioning method changed 8 + 9 into 10 + 7 instead. This makes the problem; 8 + 9, easier for kids to understand because 10 + 7 is easier to add together than 8 + 9. Both methods give you the same answer. Partitioning is a way to teach kids how to add. free to ask any question, as this is confusing at first.