-0.000 000 000 742 147 676 17 Converted to 32 Bit Single Precision IEEE 754 Binary Floating Point Representation Standard

Convert decimal -0.000 000 000 742 147 676 17(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
-0.000 000 000 742 147 676 17(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:

|-0.000 000 000 742 147 676 17| = 0.000 000 000 742 147 676 17


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: 0.000 000 000 742 147 676 17.

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) 0.000 000 000 742 147 676 17 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 001 484 295 352 34;
  • 2) 0.000 000 001 484 295 352 34 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 002 968 590 704 68;
  • 3) 0.000 000 002 968 590 704 68 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 005 937 181 409 36;
  • 4) 0.000 000 005 937 181 409 36 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 011 874 362 818 72;
  • 5) 0.000 000 011 874 362 818 72 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 023 748 725 637 44;
  • 6) 0.000 000 023 748 725 637 44 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 047 497 451 274 88;
  • 7) 0.000 000 047 497 451 274 88 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 094 994 902 549 76;
  • 8) 0.000 000 094 994 902 549 76 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 189 989 805 099 52;
  • 9) 0.000 000 189 989 805 099 52 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 379 979 610 199 04;
  • 10) 0.000 000 379 979 610 199 04 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 759 959 220 398 08;
  • 11) 0.000 000 759 959 220 398 08 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 001 519 918 440 796 16;
  • 12) 0.000 001 519 918 440 796 16 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 003 039 836 881 592 32;
  • 13) 0.000 003 039 836 881 592 32 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 006 079 673 763 184 64;
  • 14) 0.000 006 079 673 763 184 64 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 012 159 347 526 369 28;
  • 15) 0.000 012 159 347 526 369 28 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 024 318 695 052 738 56;
  • 16) 0.000 024 318 695 052 738 56 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 048 637 390 105 477 12;
  • 17) 0.000 048 637 390 105 477 12 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 097 274 780 210 954 24;
  • 18) 0.000 097 274 780 210 954 24 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 194 549 560 421 908 48;
  • 19) 0.000 194 549 560 421 908 48 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 389 099 120 843 816 96;
  • 20) 0.000 389 099 120 843 816 96 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 778 198 241 687 633 92;
  • 21) 0.000 778 198 241 687 633 92 × 2 = 0 + 0.001 556 396 483 375 267 84;
  • 22) 0.001 556 396 483 375 267 84 × 2 = 0 + 0.003 112 792 966 750 535 68;
  • 23) 0.003 112 792 966 750 535 68 × 2 = 0 + 0.006 225 585 933 501 071 36;
  • 24) 0.006 225 585 933 501 071 36 × 2 = 0 + 0.012 451 171 867 002 142 72;
  • 25) 0.012 451 171 867 002 142 72 × 2 = 0 + 0.024 902 343 734 004 285 44;
  • 26) 0.024 902 343 734 004 285 44 × 2 = 0 + 0.049 804 687 468 008 570 88;
  • 27) 0.049 804 687 468 008 570 88 × 2 = 0 + 0.099 609 374 936 017 141 76;
  • 28) 0.099 609 374 936 017 141 76 × 2 = 0 + 0.199 218 749 872 034 283 52;
  • 29) 0.199 218 749 872 034 283 52 × 2 = 0 + 0.398 437 499 744 068 567 04;
  • 30) 0.398 437 499 744 068 567 04 × 2 = 0 + 0.796 874 999 488 137 134 08;
  • 31) 0.796 874 999 488 137 134 08 × 2 = 1 + 0.593 749 998 976 274 268 16;
  • 32) 0.593 749 998 976 274 268 16 × 2 = 1 + 0.187 499 997 952 548 536 32;
  • 33) 0.187 499 997 952 548 536 32 × 2 = 0 + 0.374 999 995 905 097 072 64;
  • 34) 0.374 999 995 905 097 072 64 × 2 = 0 + 0.749 999 991 810 194 145 28;
  • 35) 0.749 999 991 810 194 145 28 × 2 = 1 + 0.499 999 983 620 388 290 56;
  • 36) 0.499 999 983 620 388 290 56 × 2 = 0 + 0.999 999 967 240 776 581 12;
  • 37) 0.999 999 967 240 776 581 12 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 934 481 553 162 24;
  • 38) 0.999 999 934 481 553 162 24 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 868 963 106 324 48;
  • 39) 0.999 999 868 963 106 324 48 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 737 926 212 648 96;
  • 40) 0.999 999 737 926 212 648 96 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 475 852 425 297 92;
  • 41) 0.999 999 475 852 425 297 92 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 998 951 704 850 595 84;
  • 42) 0.999 998 951 704 850 595 84 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 997 903 409 701 191 68;
  • 43) 0.999 997 903 409 701 191 68 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 995 806 819 402 383 36;
  • 44) 0.999 995 806 819 402 383 36 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 991 613 638 804 766 72;
  • 45) 0.999 991 613 638 804 766 72 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 983 227 277 609 533 44;
  • 46) 0.999 983 227 277 609 533 44 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 966 454 555 219 066 88;
  • 47) 0.999 966 454 555 219 066 88 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 932 909 110 438 133 76;
  • 48) 0.999 932 909 110 438 133 76 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 865 818 220 876 267 52;
  • 49) 0.999 865 818 220 876 267 52 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 731 636 441 752 535 04;
  • 50) 0.999 731 636 441 752 535 04 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 463 272 883 505 070 08;
  • 51) 0.999 463 272 883 505 070 08 × 2 = 1 + 0.998 926 545 767 010 140 16;
  • 52) 0.998 926 545 767 010 140 16 × 2 = 1 + 0.997 853 091 534 020 280 32;
  • 53) 0.997 853 091 534 020 280 32 × 2 = 1 + 0.995 706 183 068 040 560 64;
  • 54) 0.995 706 183 068 040 560 64 × 2 = 1 + 0.991 412 366 136 081 121 28;

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:


0.000 000 000 742 147 676 17(10) =


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

6. Positive number before normalization:

0.000 000 000 742 147 676 17(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:


0.000 000 000 742 147 676 17(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 -0.000 000 000 742 147 676 17 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