When you multiply 2/3 by a fraction less than one, how does the product compare to the factors?

The product is less than either of the factors. Multiplying a number < 1 with 2/3 another number < 1, will give a fraction of a fraction, and part of a fraction is an even smaller fraction. Another way of looking at it: Fractions less than one have numerators smaller than their denominators. When multiplying fractions, you multiply across, so multiplying two fractions that are both less than one will always give a numerator much smaller than the denominator, and a larger denominator makes for a smaller number. I hope this helps, but if you have questions, ask.