-0.000 000 000 742 147 676 215 Converted to 32 Bit Single Precision IEEE 754 Binary Floating Point Representation Standard

Convert decimal -0.000 000 000 742 147 676 215(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
-0.000 000 000 742 147 676 215(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:

|-0.000 000 000 742 147 676 215| = 0.000 000 000 742 147 676 215


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: 0.000 000 000 742 147 676 215.

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) 0.000 000 000 742 147 676 215 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 001 484 295 352 43;
  • 2) 0.000 000 001 484 295 352 43 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 002 968 590 704 86;
  • 3) 0.000 000 002 968 590 704 86 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 005 937 181 409 72;
  • 4) 0.000 000 005 937 181 409 72 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 011 874 362 819 44;
  • 5) 0.000 000 011 874 362 819 44 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 023 748 725 638 88;
  • 6) 0.000 000 023 748 725 638 88 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 047 497 451 277 76;
  • 7) 0.000 000 047 497 451 277 76 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 094 994 902 555 52;
  • 8) 0.000 000 094 994 902 555 52 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 189 989 805 111 04;
  • 9) 0.000 000 189 989 805 111 04 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 379 979 610 222 08;
  • 10) 0.000 000 379 979 610 222 08 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 759 959 220 444 16;
  • 11) 0.000 000 759 959 220 444 16 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 001 519 918 440 888 32;
  • 12) 0.000 001 519 918 440 888 32 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 003 039 836 881 776 64;
  • 13) 0.000 003 039 836 881 776 64 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 006 079 673 763 553 28;
  • 14) 0.000 006 079 673 763 553 28 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 012 159 347 527 106 56;
  • 15) 0.000 012 159 347 527 106 56 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 024 318 695 054 213 12;
  • 16) 0.000 024 318 695 054 213 12 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 048 637 390 108 426 24;
  • 17) 0.000 048 637 390 108 426 24 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 097 274 780 216 852 48;
  • 18) 0.000 097 274 780 216 852 48 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 194 549 560 433 704 96;
  • 19) 0.000 194 549 560 433 704 96 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 389 099 120 867 409 92;
  • 20) 0.000 389 099 120 867 409 92 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 778 198 241 734 819 84;
  • 21) 0.000 778 198 241 734 819 84 × 2 = 0 + 0.001 556 396 483 469 639 68;
  • 22) 0.001 556 396 483 469 639 68 × 2 = 0 + 0.003 112 792 966 939 279 36;
  • 23) 0.003 112 792 966 939 279 36 × 2 = 0 + 0.006 225 585 933 878 558 72;
  • 24) 0.006 225 585 933 878 558 72 × 2 = 0 + 0.012 451 171 867 757 117 44;
  • 25) 0.012 451 171 867 757 117 44 × 2 = 0 + 0.024 902 343 735 514 234 88;
  • 26) 0.024 902 343 735 514 234 88 × 2 = 0 + 0.049 804 687 471 028 469 76;
  • 27) 0.049 804 687 471 028 469 76 × 2 = 0 + 0.099 609 374 942 056 939 52;
  • 28) 0.099 609 374 942 056 939 52 × 2 = 0 + 0.199 218 749 884 113 879 04;
  • 29) 0.199 218 749 884 113 879 04 × 2 = 0 + 0.398 437 499 768 227 758 08;
  • 30) 0.398 437 499 768 227 758 08 × 2 = 0 + 0.796 874 999 536 455 516 16;
  • 31) 0.796 874 999 536 455 516 16 × 2 = 1 + 0.593 749 999 072 911 032 32;
  • 32) 0.593 749 999 072 911 032 32 × 2 = 1 + 0.187 499 998 145 822 064 64;
  • 33) 0.187 499 998 145 822 064 64 × 2 = 0 + 0.374 999 996 291 644 129 28;
  • 34) 0.374 999 996 291 644 129 28 × 2 = 0 + 0.749 999 992 583 288 258 56;
  • 35) 0.749 999 992 583 288 258 56 × 2 = 1 + 0.499 999 985 166 576 517 12;
  • 36) 0.499 999 985 166 576 517 12 × 2 = 0 + 0.999 999 970 333 153 034 24;
  • 37) 0.999 999 970 333 153 034 24 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 940 666 306 068 48;
  • 38) 0.999 999 940 666 306 068 48 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 881 332 612 136 96;
  • 39) 0.999 999 881 332 612 136 96 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 762 665 224 273 92;
  • 40) 0.999 999 762 665 224 273 92 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 525 330 448 547 84;
  • 41) 0.999 999 525 330 448 547 84 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 050 660 897 095 68;
  • 42) 0.999 999 050 660 897 095 68 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 998 101 321 794 191 36;
  • 43) 0.999 998 101 321 794 191 36 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 996 202 643 588 382 72;
  • 44) 0.999 996 202 643 588 382 72 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 992 405 287 176 765 44;
  • 45) 0.999 992 405 287 176 765 44 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 984 810 574 353 530 88;
  • 46) 0.999 984 810 574 353 530 88 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 969 621 148 707 061 76;
  • 47) 0.999 969 621 148 707 061 76 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 939 242 297 414 123 52;
  • 48) 0.999 939 242 297 414 123 52 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 878 484 594 828 247 04;
  • 49) 0.999 878 484 594 828 247 04 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 756 969 189 656 494 08;
  • 50) 0.999 756 969 189 656 494 08 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 513 938 379 312 988 16;
  • 51) 0.999 513 938 379 312 988 16 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 027 876 758 625 976 32;
  • 52) 0.999 027 876 758 625 976 32 × 2 = 1 + 0.998 055 753 517 251 952 64;
  • 53) 0.998 055 753 517 251 952 64 × 2 = 1 + 0.996 111 507 034 503 905 28;
  • 54) 0.996 111 507 034 503 905 28 × 2 = 1 + 0.992 223 014 069 007 810 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:


0.000 000 000 742 147 676 215(10) =


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

6. Positive number before normalization:

0.000 000 000 742 147 676 215(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:


0.000 000 000 742 147 676 215(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 -0.000 000 000 742 147 676 215 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