1. **State the problem:** Calculate the product of $-3$ and $\frac{4}{9}$. 2. **Formula used:** When multiplying a whole number by a fraction, multiply the whole number by the numerator and keep the denominator the same: $$a \times \frac{b}{c} = \frac{a \times b}{c}$$ 3. **Apply the formula:** $$-3 \times \frac{4}{9} = \frac{-3 \times 4}{9}$$ 4. **Multiply the numerator:** $$\frac{-12}{9}$$ 5. **Simplify the fraction:** Both numerator and denominator can be divided by 3: $$\frac{-12 \div 3}{9 \div 3} = \frac{-4}{3}$$ 6. **Final answer:** $$-\frac{4}{3}$$ This means the product of $-3$ and $\frac{4}{9}$ is $-\frac{4}{3}$.