-0.000 000 000 742 147 676 471 Converted to 32 Bit Single Precision IEEE 754 Binary Floating Point Representation Standard

Convert decimal -0.000 000 000 742 147 676 471(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
-0.000 000 000 742 147 676 471(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:

|-0.000 000 000 742 147 676 471| = 0.000 000 000 742 147 676 471


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: 0.000 000 000 742 147 676 471.

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) 0.000 000 000 742 147 676 471 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 001 484 295 352 942;
  • 2) 0.000 000 001 484 295 352 942 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 002 968 590 705 884;
  • 3) 0.000 000 002 968 590 705 884 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 005 937 181 411 768;
  • 4) 0.000 000 005 937 181 411 768 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 011 874 362 823 536;
  • 5) 0.000 000 011 874 362 823 536 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 023 748 725 647 072;
  • 6) 0.000 000 023 748 725 647 072 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 047 497 451 294 144;
  • 7) 0.000 000 047 497 451 294 144 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 094 994 902 588 288;
  • 8) 0.000 000 094 994 902 588 288 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 189 989 805 176 576;
  • 9) 0.000 000 189 989 805 176 576 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 379 979 610 353 152;
  • 10) 0.000 000 379 979 610 353 152 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 759 959 220 706 304;
  • 11) 0.000 000 759 959 220 706 304 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 001 519 918 441 412 608;
  • 12) 0.000 001 519 918 441 412 608 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 003 039 836 882 825 216;
  • 13) 0.000 003 039 836 882 825 216 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 006 079 673 765 650 432;
  • 14) 0.000 006 079 673 765 650 432 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 012 159 347 531 300 864;
  • 15) 0.000 012 159 347 531 300 864 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 024 318 695 062 601 728;
  • 16) 0.000 024 318 695 062 601 728 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 048 637 390 125 203 456;
  • 17) 0.000 048 637 390 125 203 456 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 097 274 780 250 406 912;
  • 18) 0.000 097 274 780 250 406 912 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 194 549 560 500 813 824;
  • 19) 0.000 194 549 560 500 813 824 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 389 099 121 001 627 648;
  • 20) 0.000 389 099 121 001 627 648 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 778 198 242 003 255 296;
  • 21) 0.000 778 198 242 003 255 296 × 2 = 0 + 0.001 556 396 484 006 510 592;
  • 22) 0.001 556 396 484 006 510 592 × 2 = 0 + 0.003 112 792 968 013 021 184;
  • 23) 0.003 112 792 968 013 021 184 × 2 = 0 + 0.006 225 585 936 026 042 368;
  • 24) 0.006 225 585 936 026 042 368 × 2 = 0 + 0.012 451 171 872 052 084 736;
  • 25) 0.012 451 171 872 052 084 736 × 2 = 0 + 0.024 902 343 744 104 169 472;
  • 26) 0.024 902 343 744 104 169 472 × 2 = 0 + 0.049 804 687 488 208 338 944;
  • 27) 0.049 804 687 488 208 338 944 × 2 = 0 + 0.099 609 374 976 416 677 888;
  • 28) 0.099 609 374 976 416 677 888 × 2 = 0 + 0.199 218 749 952 833 355 776;
  • 29) 0.199 218 749 952 833 355 776 × 2 = 0 + 0.398 437 499 905 666 711 552;
  • 30) 0.398 437 499 905 666 711 552 × 2 = 0 + 0.796 874 999 811 333 423 104;
  • 31) 0.796 874 999 811 333 423 104 × 2 = 1 + 0.593 749 999 622 666 846 208;
  • 32) 0.593 749 999 622 666 846 208 × 2 = 1 + 0.187 499 999 245 333 692 416;
  • 33) 0.187 499 999 245 333 692 416 × 2 = 0 + 0.374 999 998 490 667 384 832;
  • 34) 0.374 999 998 490 667 384 832 × 2 = 0 + 0.749 999 996 981 334 769 664;
  • 35) 0.749 999 996 981 334 769 664 × 2 = 1 + 0.499 999 993 962 669 539 328;
  • 36) 0.499 999 993 962 669 539 328 × 2 = 0 + 0.999 999 987 925 339 078 656;
  • 37) 0.999 999 987 925 339 078 656 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 975 850 678 157 312;
  • 38) 0.999 999 975 850 678 157 312 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 951 701 356 314 624;
  • 39) 0.999 999 951 701 356 314 624 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 903 402 712 629 248;
  • 40) 0.999 999 903 402 712 629 248 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 806 805 425 258 496;
  • 41) 0.999 999 806 805 425 258 496 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 613 610 850 516 992;
  • 42) 0.999 999 613 610 850 516 992 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 227 221 701 033 984;
  • 43) 0.999 999 227 221 701 033 984 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 998 454 443 402 067 968;
  • 44) 0.999 998 454 443 402 067 968 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 996 908 886 804 135 936;
  • 45) 0.999 996 908 886 804 135 936 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 993 817 773 608 271 872;
  • 46) 0.999 993 817 773 608 271 872 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 987 635 547 216 543 744;
  • 47) 0.999 987 635 547 216 543 744 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 975 271 094 433 087 488;
  • 48) 0.999 975 271 094 433 087 488 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 950 542 188 866 174 976;
  • 49) 0.999 950 542 188 866 174 976 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 901 084 377 732 349 952;
  • 50) 0.999 901 084 377 732 349 952 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 802 168 755 464 699 904;
  • 51) 0.999 802 168 755 464 699 904 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 604 337 510 929 399 808;
  • 52) 0.999 604 337 510 929 399 808 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 208 675 021 858 799 616;
  • 53) 0.999 208 675 021 858 799 616 × 2 = 1 + 0.998 417 350 043 717 599 232;
  • 54) 0.998 417 350 043 717 599 232 × 2 = 1 + 0.996 834 700 087 435 198 464;

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:


0.000 000 000 742 147 676 471(10) =


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

6. Positive number before normalization:

0.000 000 000 742 147 676 471(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:


0.000 000 000 742 147 676 471(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 -0.000 000 000 742 147 676 471 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