-0.000 000 000 742 147 675 84 Converted to 32 Bit Single Precision IEEE 754 Binary Floating Point Representation Standard

Convert decimal -0.000 000 000 742 147 675 84(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
-0.000 000 000 742 147 675 84(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:

|-0.000 000 000 742 147 675 84| = 0.000 000 000 742 147 675 84


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: 0.000 000 000 742 147 675 84.

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) 0.000 000 000 742 147 675 84 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 001 484 295 351 68;
  • 2) 0.000 000 001 484 295 351 68 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 002 968 590 703 36;
  • 3) 0.000 000 002 968 590 703 36 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 005 937 181 406 72;
  • 4) 0.000 000 005 937 181 406 72 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 011 874 362 813 44;
  • 5) 0.000 000 011 874 362 813 44 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 023 748 725 626 88;
  • 6) 0.000 000 023 748 725 626 88 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 047 497 451 253 76;
  • 7) 0.000 000 047 497 451 253 76 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 094 994 902 507 52;
  • 8) 0.000 000 094 994 902 507 52 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 189 989 805 015 04;
  • 9) 0.000 000 189 989 805 015 04 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 379 979 610 030 08;
  • 10) 0.000 000 379 979 610 030 08 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 759 959 220 060 16;
  • 11) 0.000 000 759 959 220 060 16 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 001 519 918 440 120 32;
  • 12) 0.000 001 519 918 440 120 32 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 003 039 836 880 240 64;
  • 13) 0.000 003 039 836 880 240 64 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 006 079 673 760 481 28;
  • 14) 0.000 006 079 673 760 481 28 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 012 159 347 520 962 56;
  • 15) 0.000 012 159 347 520 962 56 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 024 318 695 041 925 12;
  • 16) 0.000 024 318 695 041 925 12 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 048 637 390 083 850 24;
  • 17) 0.000 048 637 390 083 850 24 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 097 274 780 167 700 48;
  • 18) 0.000 097 274 780 167 700 48 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 194 549 560 335 400 96;
  • 19) 0.000 194 549 560 335 400 96 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 389 099 120 670 801 92;
  • 20) 0.000 389 099 120 670 801 92 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 778 198 241 341 603 84;
  • 21) 0.000 778 198 241 341 603 84 × 2 = 0 + 0.001 556 396 482 683 207 68;
  • 22) 0.001 556 396 482 683 207 68 × 2 = 0 + 0.003 112 792 965 366 415 36;
  • 23) 0.003 112 792 965 366 415 36 × 2 = 0 + 0.006 225 585 930 732 830 72;
  • 24) 0.006 225 585 930 732 830 72 × 2 = 0 + 0.012 451 171 861 465 661 44;
  • 25) 0.012 451 171 861 465 661 44 × 2 = 0 + 0.024 902 343 722 931 322 88;
  • 26) 0.024 902 343 722 931 322 88 × 2 = 0 + 0.049 804 687 445 862 645 76;
  • 27) 0.049 804 687 445 862 645 76 × 2 = 0 + 0.099 609 374 891 725 291 52;
  • 28) 0.099 609 374 891 725 291 52 × 2 = 0 + 0.199 218 749 783 450 583 04;
  • 29) 0.199 218 749 783 450 583 04 × 2 = 0 + 0.398 437 499 566 901 166 08;
  • 30) 0.398 437 499 566 901 166 08 × 2 = 0 + 0.796 874 999 133 802 332 16;
  • 31) 0.796 874 999 133 802 332 16 × 2 = 1 + 0.593 749 998 267 604 664 32;
  • 32) 0.593 749 998 267 604 664 32 × 2 = 1 + 0.187 499 996 535 209 328 64;
  • 33) 0.187 499 996 535 209 328 64 × 2 = 0 + 0.374 999 993 070 418 657 28;
  • 34) 0.374 999 993 070 418 657 28 × 2 = 0 + 0.749 999 986 140 837 314 56;
  • 35) 0.749 999 986 140 837 314 56 × 2 = 1 + 0.499 999 972 281 674 629 12;
  • 36) 0.499 999 972 281 674 629 12 × 2 = 0 + 0.999 999 944 563 349 258 24;
  • 37) 0.999 999 944 563 349 258 24 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 889 126 698 516 48;
  • 38) 0.999 999 889 126 698 516 48 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 778 253 397 032 96;
  • 39) 0.999 999 778 253 397 032 96 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 556 506 794 065 92;
  • 40) 0.999 999 556 506 794 065 92 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 113 013 588 131 84;
  • 41) 0.999 999 113 013 588 131 84 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 998 226 027 176 263 68;
  • 42) 0.999 998 226 027 176 263 68 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 996 452 054 352 527 36;
  • 43) 0.999 996 452 054 352 527 36 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 992 904 108 705 054 72;
  • 44) 0.999 992 904 108 705 054 72 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 985 808 217 410 109 44;
  • 45) 0.999 985 808 217 410 109 44 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 971 616 434 820 218 88;
  • 46) 0.999 971 616 434 820 218 88 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 943 232 869 640 437 76;
  • 47) 0.999 943 232 869 640 437 76 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 886 465 739 280 875 52;
  • 48) 0.999 886 465 739 280 875 52 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 772 931 478 561 751 04;
  • 49) 0.999 772 931 478 561 751 04 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 545 862 957 123 502 08;
  • 50) 0.999 545 862 957 123 502 08 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 091 725 914 247 004 16;
  • 51) 0.999 091 725 914 247 004 16 × 2 = 1 + 0.998 183 451 828 494 008 32;
  • 52) 0.998 183 451 828 494 008 32 × 2 = 1 + 0.996 366 903 656 988 016 64;
  • 53) 0.996 366 903 656 988 016 64 × 2 = 1 + 0.992 733 807 313 976 033 28;
  • 54) 0.992 733 807 313 976 033 28 × 2 = 1 + 0.985 467 614 627 952 066 56;

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:


0.000 000 000 742 147 675 84(10) =


0.0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0011 0010 1111 1111 1111 1111 11(2)

6. Positive number before normalization:

0.000 000 000 742 147 675 84(10) =


0.0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0011 0010 1111 1111 1111 1111 11(2)

7. Normalize the binary representation of the number.

Shift the decimal mark 31 positions to the right, so that only one non zero digit remains to the left of it:


0.000 000 000 742 147 675 84(10) =


0.0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0011 0010 1111 1111 1111 1111 11(2) =


0.0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0011 0010 1111 1111 1111 1111 11(2) × 20 =


1.1001 0111 1111 1111 1111 111(2) × 2-31


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): -31


Mantissa (not normalized):
1.1001 0111 1111 1111 1111 111


9. Adjust the exponent.

Use the 8 bit excess/bias notation:


Exponent (adjusted) =


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


-31 + 2(8-1) - 1 =


(-31 + 127)(10) =


96(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;
  • 96 ÷ 2 = 48 + 0;
  • 48 ÷ 2 = 24 + 0;
  • 24 ÷ 2 = 12 + 0;
  • 12 ÷ 2 = 6 + 0;
  • 6 ÷ 2 = 3 + 0;
  • 3 ÷ 2 = 1 + 1;
  • 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) =


96(10) =


0110 0000(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. 100 1011 1111 1111 1111 1111 =


100 1011 1111 1111 1111 1111


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) =
0110 0000


Mantissa (23 bits) =
100 1011 1111 1111 1111 1111


Decimal number -0.000 000 000 742 147 675 84 converted to 32 bit single precision IEEE 754 binary floating point representation:

1 - 0110 0000 - 100 1011 1111 1111 1111 1111


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