In a signed binary, the first bit (the leftmost) is reserved for the sign,
1 = negative, 0 = positive. This bit does not count when calculating the absolute value.
2. Construct the unsigned binary number.
Exclude the first bit (the leftmost), that is reserved for the sign:
1001 1100 0000 1010 = 001 1100 0000 1010
3. Map the unsigned binary number's digits versus the corresponding powers of 2 that their place value represent:
214
0 213
0 212
1 211
1 210
1 29
0 28
0 27
0 26
0 25
0 24
0 23
1 22
0 21
1 20
0
The number 1001 1100 0000 1010(2) converted from a signed binary (base two) and written as an integer in decimal system (base ten):
1001 1100 0000 1010(2) = -7 178(10)
Spaces were used to group digits: for binary, by 4, for decimal, by 3.