-0.000 000 000 742 147 677 72 Converted to 32 Bit Single Precision IEEE 754 Binary Floating Point Representation Standard

Convert decimal -0.000 000 000 742 147 677 72(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
-0.000 000 000 742 147 677 72(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:

|-0.000 000 000 742 147 677 72| = 0.000 000 000 742 147 677 72


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: 0.000 000 000 742 147 677 72.

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) 0.000 000 000 742 147 677 72 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 001 484 295 355 44;
  • 2) 0.000 000 001 484 295 355 44 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 002 968 590 710 88;
  • 3) 0.000 000 002 968 590 710 88 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 005 937 181 421 76;
  • 4) 0.000 000 005 937 181 421 76 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 011 874 362 843 52;
  • 5) 0.000 000 011 874 362 843 52 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 023 748 725 687 04;
  • 6) 0.000 000 023 748 725 687 04 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 047 497 451 374 08;
  • 7) 0.000 000 047 497 451 374 08 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 094 994 902 748 16;
  • 8) 0.000 000 094 994 902 748 16 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 189 989 805 496 32;
  • 9) 0.000 000 189 989 805 496 32 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 379 979 610 992 64;
  • 10) 0.000 000 379 979 610 992 64 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 759 959 221 985 28;
  • 11) 0.000 000 759 959 221 985 28 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 001 519 918 443 970 56;
  • 12) 0.000 001 519 918 443 970 56 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 003 039 836 887 941 12;
  • 13) 0.000 003 039 836 887 941 12 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 006 079 673 775 882 24;
  • 14) 0.000 006 079 673 775 882 24 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 012 159 347 551 764 48;
  • 15) 0.000 012 159 347 551 764 48 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 024 318 695 103 528 96;
  • 16) 0.000 024 318 695 103 528 96 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 048 637 390 207 057 92;
  • 17) 0.000 048 637 390 207 057 92 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 097 274 780 414 115 84;
  • 18) 0.000 097 274 780 414 115 84 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 194 549 560 828 231 68;
  • 19) 0.000 194 549 560 828 231 68 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 389 099 121 656 463 36;
  • 20) 0.000 389 099 121 656 463 36 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 778 198 243 312 926 72;
  • 21) 0.000 778 198 243 312 926 72 × 2 = 0 + 0.001 556 396 486 625 853 44;
  • 22) 0.001 556 396 486 625 853 44 × 2 = 0 + 0.003 112 792 973 251 706 88;
  • 23) 0.003 112 792 973 251 706 88 × 2 = 0 + 0.006 225 585 946 503 413 76;
  • 24) 0.006 225 585 946 503 413 76 × 2 = 0 + 0.012 451 171 893 006 827 52;
  • 25) 0.012 451 171 893 006 827 52 × 2 = 0 + 0.024 902 343 786 013 655 04;
  • 26) 0.024 902 343 786 013 655 04 × 2 = 0 + 0.049 804 687 572 027 310 08;
  • 27) 0.049 804 687 572 027 310 08 × 2 = 0 + 0.099 609 375 144 054 620 16;
  • 28) 0.099 609 375 144 054 620 16 × 2 = 0 + 0.199 218 750 288 109 240 32;
  • 29) 0.199 218 750 288 109 240 32 × 2 = 0 + 0.398 437 500 576 218 480 64;
  • 30) 0.398 437 500 576 218 480 64 × 2 = 0 + 0.796 875 001 152 436 961 28;
  • 31) 0.796 875 001 152 436 961 28 × 2 = 1 + 0.593 750 002 304 873 922 56;
  • 32) 0.593 750 002 304 873 922 56 × 2 = 1 + 0.187 500 004 609 747 845 12;
  • 33) 0.187 500 004 609 747 845 12 × 2 = 0 + 0.375 000 009 219 495 690 24;
  • 34) 0.375 000 009 219 495 690 24 × 2 = 0 + 0.750 000 018 438 991 380 48;
  • 35) 0.750 000 018 438 991 380 48 × 2 = 1 + 0.500 000 036 877 982 760 96;
  • 36) 0.500 000 036 877 982 760 96 × 2 = 1 + 0.000 000 073 755 965 521 92;
  • 37) 0.000 000 073 755 965 521 92 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 147 511 931 043 84;
  • 38) 0.000 000 147 511 931 043 84 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 295 023 862 087 68;
  • 39) 0.000 000 295 023 862 087 68 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 590 047 724 175 36;
  • 40) 0.000 000 590 047 724 175 36 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 001 180 095 448 350 72;
  • 41) 0.000 001 180 095 448 350 72 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 002 360 190 896 701 44;
  • 42) 0.000 002 360 190 896 701 44 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 004 720 381 793 402 88;
  • 43) 0.000 004 720 381 793 402 88 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 009 440 763 586 805 76;
  • 44) 0.000 009 440 763 586 805 76 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 018 881 527 173 611 52;
  • 45) 0.000 018 881 527 173 611 52 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 037 763 054 347 223 04;
  • 46) 0.000 037 763 054 347 223 04 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 075 526 108 694 446 08;
  • 47) 0.000 075 526 108 694 446 08 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 151 052 217 388 892 16;
  • 48) 0.000 151 052 217 388 892 16 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 302 104 434 777 784 32;
  • 49) 0.000 302 104 434 777 784 32 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 604 208 869 555 568 64;
  • 50) 0.000 604 208 869 555 568 64 × 2 = 0 + 0.001 208 417 739 111 137 28;
  • 51) 0.001 208 417 739 111 137 28 × 2 = 0 + 0.002 416 835 478 222 274 56;
  • 52) 0.002 416 835 478 222 274 56 × 2 = 0 + 0.004 833 670 956 444 549 12;
  • 53) 0.004 833 670 956 444 549 12 × 2 = 0 + 0.009 667 341 912 889 098 24;
  • 54) 0.009 667 341 912 889 098 24 × 2 = 0 + 0.019 334 683 825 778 196 48;

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:


0.000 000 000 742 147 677 72(10) =


0.0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0011 0011 0000 0000 0000 0000 00(2)

6. Positive number before normalization:

0.000 000 000 742 147 677 72(10) =


0.0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0011 0011 0000 0000 0000 0000 00(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:


0.000 000 000 742 147 677 72(10) =


0.0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0011 0011 0000 0000 0000 0000 00(2) =


0.0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0011 0011 0000 0000 0000 0000 00(2) × 20 =


1.1001 1000 0000 0000 0000 000(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 1000 0000 0000 0000 000


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 1100 0000 0000 0000 0000 =


100 1100 0000 0000 0000 0000


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 1100 0000 0000 0000 0000


Decimal number -0.000 000 000 742 147 677 72 converted to 32 bit single precision IEEE 754 binary floating point representation:

1 - 0110 0000 - 100 1100 0000 0000 0000 0000


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