-0.000 000 000 742 147 676 646 691 5 Converted to 32 Bit Single Precision IEEE 754 Binary Floating Point Representation Standard

Convert decimal -0.000 000 000 742 147 676 646 691 5(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
-0.000 000 000 742 147 676 646 691 5(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:

|-0.000 000 000 742 147 676 646 691 5| = 0.000 000 000 742 147 676 646 691 5


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: 0.000 000 000 742 147 676 646 691 5.

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) 0.000 000 000 742 147 676 646 691 5 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 001 484 295 353 293 383;
  • 2) 0.000 000 001 484 295 353 293 383 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 002 968 590 706 586 766;
  • 3) 0.000 000 002 968 590 706 586 766 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 005 937 181 413 173 532;
  • 4) 0.000 000 005 937 181 413 173 532 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 011 874 362 826 347 064;
  • 5) 0.000 000 011 874 362 826 347 064 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 023 748 725 652 694 128;
  • 6) 0.000 000 023 748 725 652 694 128 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 047 497 451 305 388 256;
  • 7) 0.000 000 047 497 451 305 388 256 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 094 994 902 610 776 512;
  • 8) 0.000 000 094 994 902 610 776 512 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 189 989 805 221 553 024;
  • 9) 0.000 000 189 989 805 221 553 024 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 379 979 610 443 106 048;
  • 10) 0.000 000 379 979 610 443 106 048 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 759 959 220 886 212 096;
  • 11) 0.000 000 759 959 220 886 212 096 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 001 519 918 441 772 424 192;
  • 12) 0.000 001 519 918 441 772 424 192 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 003 039 836 883 544 848 384;
  • 13) 0.000 003 039 836 883 544 848 384 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 006 079 673 767 089 696 768;
  • 14) 0.000 006 079 673 767 089 696 768 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 012 159 347 534 179 393 536;
  • 15) 0.000 012 159 347 534 179 393 536 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 024 318 695 068 358 787 072;
  • 16) 0.000 024 318 695 068 358 787 072 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 048 637 390 136 717 574 144;
  • 17) 0.000 048 637 390 136 717 574 144 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 097 274 780 273 435 148 288;
  • 18) 0.000 097 274 780 273 435 148 288 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 194 549 560 546 870 296 576;
  • 19) 0.000 194 549 560 546 870 296 576 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 389 099 121 093 740 593 152;
  • 20) 0.000 389 099 121 093 740 593 152 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 778 198 242 187 481 186 304;
  • 21) 0.000 778 198 242 187 481 186 304 × 2 = 0 + 0.001 556 396 484 374 962 372 608;
  • 22) 0.001 556 396 484 374 962 372 608 × 2 = 0 + 0.003 112 792 968 749 924 745 216;
  • 23) 0.003 112 792 968 749 924 745 216 × 2 = 0 + 0.006 225 585 937 499 849 490 432;
  • 24) 0.006 225 585 937 499 849 490 432 × 2 = 0 + 0.012 451 171 874 999 698 980 864;
  • 25) 0.012 451 171 874 999 698 980 864 × 2 = 0 + 0.024 902 343 749 999 397 961 728;
  • 26) 0.024 902 343 749 999 397 961 728 × 2 = 0 + 0.049 804 687 499 998 795 923 456;
  • 27) 0.049 804 687 499 998 795 923 456 × 2 = 0 + 0.099 609 374 999 997 591 846 912;
  • 28) 0.099 609 374 999 997 591 846 912 × 2 = 0 + 0.199 218 749 999 995 183 693 824;
  • 29) 0.199 218 749 999 995 183 693 824 × 2 = 0 + 0.398 437 499 999 990 367 387 648;
  • 30) 0.398 437 499 999 990 367 387 648 × 2 = 0 + 0.796 874 999 999 980 734 775 296;
  • 31) 0.796 874 999 999 980 734 775 296 × 2 = 1 + 0.593 749 999 999 961 469 550 592;
  • 32) 0.593 749 999 999 961 469 550 592 × 2 = 1 + 0.187 499 999 999 922 939 101 184;
  • 33) 0.187 499 999 999 922 939 101 184 × 2 = 0 + 0.374 999 999 999 845 878 202 368;
  • 34) 0.374 999 999 999 845 878 202 368 × 2 = 0 + 0.749 999 999 999 691 756 404 736;
  • 35) 0.749 999 999 999 691 756 404 736 × 2 = 1 + 0.499 999 999 999 383 512 809 472;
  • 36) 0.499 999 999 999 383 512 809 472 × 2 = 0 + 0.999 999 999 998 767 025 618 944;
  • 37) 0.999 999 999 998 767 025 618 944 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 997 534 051 237 888;
  • 38) 0.999 999 999 997 534 051 237 888 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 995 068 102 475 776;
  • 39) 0.999 999 999 995 068 102 475 776 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 990 136 204 951 552;
  • 40) 0.999 999 999 990 136 204 951 552 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 980 272 409 903 104;
  • 41) 0.999 999 999 980 272 409 903 104 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 960 544 819 806 208;
  • 42) 0.999 999 999 960 544 819 806 208 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 921 089 639 612 416;
  • 43) 0.999 999 999 921 089 639 612 416 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 842 179 279 224 832;
  • 44) 0.999 999 999 842 179 279 224 832 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 684 358 558 449 664;
  • 45) 0.999 999 999 684 358 558 449 664 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 368 717 116 899 328;
  • 46) 0.999 999 999 368 717 116 899 328 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 998 737 434 233 798 656;
  • 47) 0.999 999 998 737 434 233 798 656 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 997 474 868 467 597 312;
  • 48) 0.999 999 997 474 868 467 597 312 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 994 949 736 935 194 624;
  • 49) 0.999 999 994 949 736 935 194 624 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 989 899 473 870 389 248;
  • 50) 0.999 999 989 899 473 870 389 248 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 979 798 947 740 778 496;
  • 51) 0.999 999 979 798 947 740 778 496 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 959 597 895 481 556 992;
  • 52) 0.999 999 959 597 895 481 556 992 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 919 195 790 963 113 984;
  • 53) 0.999 999 919 195 790 963 113 984 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 838 391 581 926 227 968;
  • 54) 0.999 999 838 391 581 926 227 968 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 676 783 163 852 455 936;

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:


0.000 000 000 742 147 676 646 691 5(10) =


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

6. Positive number before normalization:

0.000 000 000 742 147 676 646 691 5(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:


0.000 000 000 742 147 676 646 691 5(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 -0.000 000 000 742 147 676 646 691 5 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