When you multiply fractions, say, 2/3 and 4/5, the numerators and denominators are multiplied, such that 2/3 * 4/5 = 2*4 / 5*3 (which is 8/15).
When you multiply whole numbers, say 3 * 4, you are essentially adding three together four times, such that 3 * 4 = 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 (or 4 + 4 + 4)