-0.000 000 000 742 147 676 646 61 Converted to 32 Bit Single Precision IEEE 754 Binary Floating Point Representation Standard

Convert decimal -0.000 000 000 742 147 676 646 61(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
-0.000 000 000 742 147 676 646 61(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:

|-0.000 000 000 742 147 676 646 61| = 0.000 000 000 742 147 676 646 61


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: 0.000 000 000 742 147 676 646 61.

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) 0.000 000 000 742 147 676 646 61 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 001 484 295 353 293 22;
  • 2) 0.000 000 001 484 295 353 293 22 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 002 968 590 706 586 44;
  • 3) 0.000 000 002 968 590 706 586 44 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 005 937 181 413 172 88;
  • 4) 0.000 000 005 937 181 413 172 88 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 011 874 362 826 345 76;
  • 5) 0.000 000 011 874 362 826 345 76 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 023 748 725 652 691 52;
  • 6) 0.000 000 023 748 725 652 691 52 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 047 497 451 305 383 04;
  • 7) 0.000 000 047 497 451 305 383 04 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 094 994 902 610 766 08;
  • 8) 0.000 000 094 994 902 610 766 08 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 189 989 805 221 532 16;
  • 9) 0.000 000 189 989 805 221 532 16 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 379 979 610 443 064 32;
  • 10) 0.000 000 379 979 610 443 064 32 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 759 959 220 886 128 64;
  • 11) 0.000 000 759 959 220 886 128 64 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 001 519 918 441 772 257 28;
  • 12) 0.000 001 519 918 441 772 257 28 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 003 039 836 883 544 514 56;
  • 13) 0.000 003 039 836 883 544 514 56 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 006 079 673 767 089 029 12;
  • 14) 0.000 006 079 673 767 089 029 12 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 012 159 347 534 178 058 24;
  • 15) 0.000 012 159 347 534 178 058 24 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 024 318 695 068 356 116 48;
  • 16) 0.000 024 318 695 068 356 116 48 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 048 637 390 136 712 232 96;
  • 17) 0.000 048 637 390 136 712 232 96 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 097 274 780 273 424 465 92;
  • 18) 0.000 097 274 780 273 424 465 92 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 194 549 560 546 848 931 84;
  • 19) 0.000 194 549 560 546 848 931 84 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 389 099 121 093 697 863 68;
  • 20) 0.000 389 099 121 093 697 863 68 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 778 198 242 187 395 727 36;
  • 21) 0.000 778 198 242 187 395 727 36 × 2 = 0 + 0.001 556 396 484 374 791 454 72;
  • 22) 0.001 556 396 484 374 791 454 72 × 2 = 0 + 0.003 112 792 968 749 582 909 44;
  • 23) 0.003 112 792 968 749 582 909 44 × 2 = 0 + 0.006 225 585 937 499 165 818 88;
  • 24) 0.006 225 585 937 499 165 818 88 × 2 = 0 + 0.012 451 171 874 998 331 637 76;
  • 25) 0.012 451 171 874 998 331 637 76 × 2 = 0 + 0.024 902 343 749 996 663 275 52;
  • 26) 0.024 902 343 749 996 663 275 52 × 2 = 0 + 0.049 804 687 499 993 326 551 04;
  • 27) 0.049 804 687 499 993 326 551 04 × 2 = 0 + 0.099 609 374 999 986 653 102 08;
  • 28) 0.099 609 374 999 986 653 102 08 × 2 = 0 + 0.199 218 749 999 973 306 204 16;
  • 29) 0.199 218 749 999 973 306 204 16 × 2 = 0 + 0.398 437 499 999 946 612 408 32;
  • 30) 0.398 437 499 999 946 612 408 32 × 2 = 0 + 0.796 874 999 999 893 224 816 64;
  • 31) 0.796 874 999 999 893 224 816 64 × 2 = 1 + 0.593 749 999 999 786 449 633 28;
  • 32) 0.593 749 999 999 786 449 633 28 × 2 = 1 + 0.187 499 999 999 572 899 266 56;
  • 33) 0.187 499 999 999 572 899 266 56 × 2 = 0 + 0.374 999 999 999 145 798 533 12;
  • 34) 0.374 999 999 999 145 798 533 12 × 2 = 0 + 0.749 999 999 998 291 597 066 24;
  • 35) 0.749 999 999 998 291 597 066 24 × 2 = 1 + 0.499 999 999 996 583 194 132 48;
  • 36) 0.499 999 999 996 583 194 132 48 × 2 = 0 + 0.999 999 999 993 166 388 264 96;
  • 37) 0.999 999 999 993 166 388 264 96 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 986 332 776 529 92;
  • 38) 0.999 999 999 986 332 776 529 92 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 972 665 553 059 84;
  • 39) 0.999 999 999 972 665 553 059 84 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 945 331 106 119 68;
  • 40) 0.999 999 999 945 331 106 119 68 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 890 662 212 239 36;
  • 41) 0.999 999 999 890 662 212 239 36 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 781 324 424 478 72;
  • 42) 0.999 999 999 781 324 424 478 72 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 562 648 848 957 44;
  • 43) 0.999 999 999 562 648 848 957 44 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 125 297 697 914 88;
  • 44) 0.999 999 999 125 297 697 914 88 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 998 250 595 395 829 76;
  • 45) 0.999 999 998 250 595 395 829 76 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 996 501 190 791 659 52;
  • 46) 0.999 999 996 501 190 791 659 52 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 993 002 381 583 319 04;
  • 47) 0.999 999 993 002 381 583 319 04 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 986 004 763 166 638 08;
  • 48) 0.999 999 986 004 763 166 638 08 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 972 009 526 333 276 16;
  • 49) 0.999 999 972 009 526 333 276 16 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 944 019 052 666 552 32;
  • 50) 0.999 999 944 019 052 666 552 32 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 888 038 105 333 104 64;
  • 51) 0.999 999 888 038 105 333 104 64 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 776 076 210 666 209 28;
  • 52) 0.999 999 776 076 210 666 209 28 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 552 152 421 332 418 56;
  • 53) 0.999 999 552 152 421 332 418 56 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 104 304 842 664 837 12;
  • 54) 0.999 999 104 304 842 664 837 12 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 998 208 609 685 329 674 24;

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:


0.000 000 000 742 147 676 646 61(10) =


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

6. Positive number before normalization:

0.000 000 000 742 147 676 646 61(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:


0.000 000 000 742 147 676 646 61(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 -0.000 000 000 742 147 676 646 61 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