What is five ninths times eight?

5/9 X 8

We place the '8' over the 'trivial '1''

Hence

5/9 X 8/1

Now it is multiplication of fractions.

Multiply separately the numerators and the denominators

40/9 ) An Improper fraction)

Convert to a mixed number.

40/9 = 4 4/9 (The answer).