A proper fraction is less than 1, and an improper fraction is greater than 1. When you multiply a number by a value less than 1, the result is smaller than the original number. For example, $\frac{1}{2} \times \frac{3}{2} = \frac{3}{4}$. Here, $\frac{3}{4}$ is less than the improper fraction $\frac{3}{2}$.