Explain how you multiply by a whole number can result in a product less than 1

You could multiply a positive number by a negative;
A number multiplied by 0
Or, for example, 1 x 0.5, in which you get 0.5

hope this helps!

The whole number your multiplying by can be a negative. SO say your multiply -6 x 4 that would give you -24 and -24 is less than 1. But when multiplying your two whole numbers there can be only be one negative number and one positive because if you multiply two negative it would be a positive. 
 HOPE THAT HELPED