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:
1011 0010 0010 1100 = 011 0010 0010 1100
3. Map the unsigned binary number's digits versus the corresponding powers of 2 that their place value represent:
214
0 213
1 212
1 211
0 210
0 29
1 28
0 27
0 26
0 25
1 24
0 23
1 22
1 21
0 20
0
The number 1011 0010 0010 1100(2) converted from a signed binary (base two) and written as an integer in decimal system (base ten):
1011 0010 0010 1100(2) = -12 844(10)
Spaces were used to group digits: for binary, by 4, for decimal, by 3.