What is the concept behind the calculations for the dilution of solutions?
I'm not sure the exact question but I suppose you want to find the volume of 1st solution needed to come up with the 2nd solution. I always feel more comfortable with moles for this types of problem. Because mole is conserved (in a way).
So, to make the 2nd solution you need  

$$50~\mathrm{ml} \times \frac{1~\mathrm{l}}{1000~\mathrm{ml}} \times 0.45~\mathrm{\frac {mol}{l}}=0.0225~\mathrm{mol}$$

That means you need $0.0225~\mathrm{mol}$ of $\ce{Al(NO3)3}$ from the first solution. You know the molarity and mole number. So the volume is 
$$\frac {0.0225~\mathrm{mol}}{0.85~\mathrm{\frac{mol}{l}}}=0.0264~\mathrm{l}=26.47~\mathrm{ml}.$$ 
But you need $50~\mathrm{ml}$ of the 2nd solution, so you need to add solvent (Water or whatever you used). The volume of extra solvent required is $50-26.47=23.53~\mathrm{ml}$. Now you got the 2nd solution and to check that you have got everything right, you can find the molarity of your new solution.