-0.000 000 000 34 Converted to 32 Bit Single Precision IEEE 754 Binary Floating Point Representation Standard

Convert decimal -0.000 000 000 34(10) to 32 bit single precision IEEE 754 binary floating point representation standard (1 bit for sign, 8 bits for exponent, 23 bits for mantissa)

What are the steps to convert decimal number
-0.000 000 000 34(10) to 32 bit single precision IEEE 754 binary floating point representation (1 bit for sign, 8 bits for exponent, 23 bits for mantissa)

1. Start with the positive version of the number:

|-0.000 000 000 34| = 0.000 000 000 34


2. First, convert to binary (in base 2) the integer part: 0.
Divide the number repeatedly by 2.

Keep track of each remainder.

We stop when we get a quotient that is equal to zero.


  • division = quotient + remainder;
  • 0 ÷ 2 = 0 + 0;

3. Construct the base 2 representation of the integer part of the number.

Take all the remainders starting from the bottom of the list constructed above.

0(10) =


0(2)


4. Convert to binary (base 2) the fractional part: 0.000 000 000 34.

Multiply it repeatedly by 2.


Keep track of each integer part of the results.


Stop when we get a fractional part that is equal to zero.


  • #) multiplying = integer + fractional part;
  • 1) 0.000 000 000 34 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 000 68;
  • 2) 0.000 000 000 68 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 001 36;
  • 3) 0.000 000 001 36 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 002 72;
  • 4) 0.000 000 002 72 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 005 44;
  • 5) 0.000 000 005 44 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 010 88;
  • 6) 0.000 000 010 88 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 021 76;
  • 7) 0.000 000 021 76 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 043 52;
  • 8) 0.000 000 043 52 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 087 04;
  • 9) 0.000 000 087 04 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 174 08;
  • 10) 0.000 000 174 08 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 348 16;
  • 11) 0.000 000 348 16 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 696 32;
  • 12) 0.000 000 696 32 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 001 392 64;
  • 13) 0.000 001 392 64 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 002 785 28;
  • 14) 0.000 002 785 28 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 005 570 56;
  • 15) 0.000 005 570 56 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 011 141 12;
  • 16) 0.000 011 141 12 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 022 282 24;
  • 17) 0.000 022 282 24 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 044 564 48;
  • 18) 0.000 044 564 48 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 089 128 96;
  • 19) 0.000 089 128 96 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 178 257 92;
  • 20) 0.000 178 257 92 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 356 515 84;
  • 21) 0.000 356 515 84 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 713 031 68;
  • 22) 0.000 713 031 68 × 2 = 0 + 0.001 426 063 36;
  • 23) 0.001 426 063 36 × 2 = 0 + 0.002 852 126 72;
  • 24) 0.002 852 126 72 × 2 = 0 + 0.005 704 253 44;
  • 25) 0.005 704 253 44 × 2 = 0 + 0.011 408 506 88;
  • 26) 0.011 408 506 88 × 2 = 0 + 0.022 817 013 76;
  • 27) 0.022 817 013 76 × 2 = 0 + 0.045 634 027 52;
  • 28) 0.045 634 027 52 × 2 = 0 + 0.091 268 055 04;
  • 29) 0.091 268 055 04 × 2 = 0 + 0.182 536 110 08;
  • 30) 0.182 536 110 08 × 2 = 0 + 0.365 072 220 16;
  • 31) 0.365 072 220 16 × 2 = 0 + 0.730 144 440 32;
  • 32) 0.730 144 440 32 × 2 = 1 + 0.460 288 880 64;
  • 33) 0.460 288 880 64 × 2 = 0 + 0.920 577 761 28;
  • 34) 0.920 577 761 28 × 2 = 1 + 0.841 155 522 56;
  • 35) 0.841 155 522 56 × 2 = 1 + 0.682 311 045 12;
  • 36) 0.682 311 045 12 × 2 = 1 + 0.364 622 090 24;
  • 37) 0.364 622 090 24 × 2 = 0 + 0.729 244 180 48;
  • 38) 0.729 244 180 48 × 2 = 1 + 0.458 488 360 96;
  • 39) 0.458 488 360 96 × 2 = 0 + 0.916 976 721 92;
  • 40) 0.916 976 721 92 × 2 = 1 + 0.833 953 443 84;
  • 41) 0.833 953 443 84 × 2 = 1 + 0.667 906 887 68;
  • 42) 0.667 906 887 68 × 2 = 1 + 0.335 813 775 36;
  • 43) 0.335 813 775 36 × 2 = 0 + 0.671 627 550 72;
  • 44) 0.671 627 550 72 × 2 = 1 + 0.343 255 101 44;
  • 45) 0.343 255 101 44 × 2 = 0 + 0.686 510 202 88;
  • 46) 0.686 510 202 88 × 2 = 1 + 0.373 020 405 76;
  • 47) 0.373 020 405 76 × 2 = 0 + 0.746 040 811 52;
  • 48) 0.746 040 811 52 × 2 = 1 + 0.492 081 623 04;
  • 49) 0.492 081 623 04 × 2 = 0 + 0.984 163 246 08;
  • 50) 0.984 163 246 08 × 2 = 1 + 0.968 326 492 16;
  • 51) 0.968 326 492 16 × 2 = 1 + 0.936 652 984 32;
  • 52) 0.936 652 984 32 × 2 = 1 + 0.873 305 968 64;
  • 53) 0.873 305 968 64 × 2 = 1 + 0.746 611 937 28;
  • 54) 0.746 611 937 28 × 2 = 1 + 0.493 223 874 56;
  • 55) 0.493 223 874 56 × 2 = 0 + 0.986 447 749 12;

We didn't get any fractional part that was equal to zero. But we had enough iterations (over Mantissa limit) and at least one integer that was different from zero => FULL STOP (Losing precision - the converted number we get in the end will be just a very good approximation of the initial one).


5. Construct the base 2 representation of the fractional part of the number.

Take all the integer parts of the multiplying operations, starting from the top of the constructed list above:


0.000 000 000 34(10) =


0.0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0001 0111 0101 1101 0101 0111 110(2)

6. Positive number before normalization:

0.000 000 000 34(10) =


0.0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0001 0111 0101 1101 0101 0111 110(2)

7. Normalize the binary representation of the number.

Shift the decimal mark 32 positions to the right, so that only one non zero digit remains to the left of it:


0.000 000 000 34(10) =


0.0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0001 0111 0101 1101 0101 0111 110(2) =


0.0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0001 0111 0101 1101 0101 0111 110(2) × 20 =


1.0111 0101 1101 0101 0111 110(2) × 2-32


8. Up to this moment, there are the following elements that would feed into the 32 bit single precision IEEE 754 binary floating point representation:

Sign 1 (a negative number)


Exponent (unadjusted): -32


Mantissa (not normalized):
1.0111 0101 1101 0101 0111 110


9. Adjust the exponent.

Use the 8 bit excess/bias notation:


Exponent (adjusted) =


Exponent (unadjusted) + 2(8-1) - 1 =


-32 + 2(8-1) - 1 =


(-32 + 127)(10) =


95(10)


10. Convert the adjusted exponent from the decimal (base 10) to 8 bit binary.

Use the same technique of repeatedly dividing by 2:


  • division = quotient + remainder;
  • 95 ÷ 2 = 47 + 1;
  • 47 ÷ 2 = 23 + 1;
  • 23 ÷ 2 = 11 + 1;
  • 11 ÷ 2 = 5 + 1;
  • 5 ÷ 2 = 2 + 1;
  • 2 ÷ 2 = 1 + 0;
  • 1 ÷ 2 = 0 + 1;

11. Construct the base 2 representation of the adjusted exponent.

Take all the remainders starting from the bottom of the list constructed above.


Exponent (adjusted) =


95(10) =


0101 1111(2)


12. Normalize the mantissa.

a) Remove the leading (the leftmost) bit, since it's allways 1, and the decimal point, if the case.


b) Adjust its length to 23 bits, only if necessary (not the case here).


Mantissa (normalized) =


1. 011 1010 1110 1010 1011 1110 =


011 1010 1110 1010 1011 1110


13. The three elements that make up the number's 32 bit single precision IEEE 754 binary floating point representation:

Sign (1 bit) =
1 (a negative number)


Exponent (8 bits) =
0101 1111


Mantissa (23 bits) =
011 1010 1110 1010 1011 1110


Decimal number -0.000 000 000 34 converted to 32 bit single precision IEEE 754 binary floating point representation:

1 - 0101 1111 - 011 1010 1110 1010 1011 1110


How to convert decimal numbers from base ten to 32 bit single precision IEEE 754 binary floating point standard

Follow the steps below to convert a base 10 decimal number to 32 bit single precision IEEE 754 binary floating point:

  • 1. If the number to be converted is negative, start with its the positive version.
  • 2. First convert the integer part. Divide repeatedly by 2 the base ten positive representation of the integer number that is to be converted to binary, until we get a quotient that is equal to zero, keeping track of each remainder.
  • 3. Construct the base 2 representation of the positive integer part of the number, by taking all the remainders of the previous dividing operations, starting from the bottom of the list constructed above. Thus, the last remainder of the divisions becomes the first symbol (the leftmost) of the base two number, while the first remainder becomes the last symbol (the rightmost).
  • 4. Then convert the fractional part. Multiply the number repeatedly by 2, until we get a fractional part that is equal to zero, keeping track of each integer part of the results.
  • 5. Construct the base 2 representation of the fractional part of the number by taking all the integer parts of the previous multiplying operations, starting from the top of the constructed list above (they should appear in the binary representation, from left to right, in the order they have been calculated).
  • 6. Normalize the binary representation of the number, by shifting the decimal point (or if you prefer, the decimal mark) "n" positions either to the left or to the right, so that only one non zero digit remains to the left of the decimal point.
  • 7. Adjust the exponent in 8 bit excess/bias notation and then convert it from decimal (base 10) to 8 bit binary, by using the same technique of repeatedly dividing by 2, as shown above:
    Exponent (adjusted) = Exponent (unadjusted) + 2(8-1) - 1
  • 8. Normalize mantissa, remove the leading (leftmost) bit, since it's allways '1' (and the decimal sign if the case) and adjust its length to 23 bits, either by removing the excess bits from the right (losing precision...) or by adding extra '0' bits to the right.
  • 9. Sign (it takes 1 bit) is either 1 for a negative or 0 for a positive number.

Example: convert the negative number -25.347 from decimal system (base ten) to 32 bit single precision IEEE 754 binary floating point:

  • 1. Start with the positive version of the number:

    |-25.347| = 25.347

  • 2. First convert the integer part, 25. Divide it repeatedly by 2, keeping track of each remainder, until we get a quotient that is equal to zero:
    • division = quotient + remainder;
    • 25 ÷ 2 = 12 + 1;
    • 12 ÷ 2 = 6 + 0;
    • 6 ÷ 2 = 3 + 0;
    • 3 ÷ 2 = 1 + 1;
    • 1 ÷ 2 = 0 + 1;
    • We have encountered a quotient that is ZERO => FULL STOP
  • 3. Construct the base 2 representation of the integer part of the number by taking all the remainders of the previous dividing operations, starting from the bottom of the list constructed above:

    25(10) = 1 1001(2)

  • 4. Then convert the fractional part, 0.347. Multiply repeatedly by 2, keeping track of each integer part of the results, until we get a fractional part that is equal to zero:
    • #) multiplying = integer + fractional part;
    • 1) 0.347 × 2 = 0 + 0.694;
    • 2) 0.694 × 2 = 1 + 0.388;
    • 3) 0.388 × 2 = 0 + 0.776;
    • 4) 0.776 × 2 = 1 + 0.552;
    • 5) 0.552 × 2 = 1 + 0.104;
    • 6) 0.104 × 2 = 0 + 0.208;
    • 7) 0.208 × 2 = 0 + 0.416;
    • 8) 0.416 × 2 = 0 + 0.832;
    • 9) 0.832 × 2 = 1 + 0.664;
    • 10) 0.664 × 2 = 1 + 0.328;
    • 11) 0.328 × 2 = 0 + 0.656;
    • 12) 0.656 × 2 = 1 + 0.312;
    • 13) 0.312 × 2 = 0 + 0.624;
    • 14) 0.624 × 2 = 1 + 0.248;
    • 15) 0.248 × 2 = 0 + 0.496;
    • 16) 0.496 × 2 = 0 + 0.992;
    • 17) 0.992 × 2 = 1 + 0.984;
    • 18) 0.984 × 2 = 1 + 0.968;
    • 19) 0.968 × 2 = 1 + 0.936;
    • 20) 0.936 × 2 = 1 + 0.872;
    • 21) 0.872 × 2 = 1 + 0.744;
    • 22) 0.744 × 2 = 1 + 0.488;
    • 23) 0.488 × 2 = 0 + 0.976;
    • 24) 0.976 × 2 = 1 + 0.952;
    • We didn't get any fractional part that was equal to zero. But we had enough iterations (over Mantissa limit = 23) and at least one integer part that was different from zero => FULL STOP (losing precision...).
  • 5. Construct the base 2 representation of the fractional part of the number, by taking all the integer parts of the previous multiplying operations, starting from the top of the constructed list above:

    0.347(10) = 0.0101 1000 1101 0100 1111 1101(2)

  • 6. Summarizing - the positive number before normalization:

    25.347(10) = 1 1001.0101 1000 1101 0100 1111 1101(2)

  • 7. Normalize the binary representation of the number, shifting the decimal point 4 positions to the left so that only one non-zero digit stays to the left of the decimal point:

    25.347(10) =
    1 1001.0101 1000 1101 0100 1111 1101(2) =
    1 1001.0101 1000 1101 0100 1111 1101(2) × 20 =
    1.1001 0101 1000 1101 0100 1111 1101(2) × 24

  • 8. Up to this moment, there are the following elements that would feed into the 32 bit single precision IEEE 754 binary floating point:

    Sign: 1 (a negative number)

    Exponent (unadjusted): 4

    Mantissa (not-normalized): 1.1001 0101 1000 1101 0100 1111 1101

  • 9. Adjust the exponent in 8 bit excess/bias notation and then convert it from decimal (base 10) to 8 bit binary (base 2), by using the same technique of repeatedly dividing it by 2, as already demonstrated above:

    Exponent (adjusted) = Exponent (unadjusted) + 2(8-1) - 1 = (4 + 127)(10) = 131(10) =
    1000 0011(2)

  • 10. Normalize the mantissa, remove the leading (leftmost) bit, since it's allways '1' (and the decimal point) and adjust its length to 23 bits, by removing the excess bits from the right (losing precision...):

    Mantissa (not-normalized): 1.1001 0101 1000 1101 0100 1111 1101

    Mantissa (normalized): 100 1010 1100 0110 1010 0111

  • Conclusion:

    Sign (1 bit) = 1 (a negative number)

    Exponent (8 bits) = 1000 0011

    Mantissa (23 bits) = 100 1010 1100 0110 1010 0111

  • Number -25.347, converted from the decimal system (base 10) to 32 bit single precision IEEE 754 binary floating point =
    1 - 1000 0011 - 100 1010 1100 0110 1010 0111