To solve 8 + 9 and make a ten, you can break down the number 9 into 1 and 8. Then, you can add the 1 to the 8 to make 9, and add the remaining 8 to get the final answer:

8 + 9 = 8 + 1 + 8 = 17.

By breaking down 9 into 1 and 8, you can combine the 1 with the original 8 to make 9, and then add the remaining 8 to get 17