-0.000 193 2 Converted to 32 Bit Single Precision IEEE 754 Binary Floating Point Representation Standard

Convert decimal -0.000 193 2(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
-0.000 193 2(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:

|-0.000 193 2| = 0.000 193 2


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: 0.000 193 2.

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) 0.000 193 2 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 386 4;
  • 2) 0.000 386 4 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 772 8;
  • 3) 0.000 772 8 × 2 = 0 + 0.001 545 6;
  • 4) 0.001 545 6 × 2 = 0 + 0.003 091 2;
  • 5) 0.003 091 2 × 2 = 0 + 0.006 182 4;
  • 6) 0.006 182 4 × 2 = 0 + 0.012 364 8;
  • 7) 0.012 364 8 × 2 = 0 + 0.024 729 6;
  • 8) 0.024 729 6 × 2 = 0 + 0.049 459 2;
  • 9) 0.049 459 2 × 2 = 0 + 0.098 918 4;
  • 10) 0.098 918 4 × 2 = 0 + 0.197 836 8;
  • 11) 0.197 836 8 × 2 = 0 + 0.395 673 6;
  • 12) 0.395 673 6 × 2 = 0 + 0.791 347 2;
  • 13) 0.791 347 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.582 694 4;
  • 14) 0.582 694 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.165 388 8;
  • 15) 0.165 388 8 × 2 = 0 + 0.330 777 6;
  • 16) 0.330 777 6 × 2 = 0 + 0.661 555 2;
  • 17) 0.661 555 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.323 110 4;
  • 18) 0.323 110 4 × 2 = 0 + 0.646 220 8;
  • 19) 0.646 220 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.292 441 6;
  • 20) 0.292 441 6 × 2 = 0 + 0.584 883 2;
  • 21) 0.584 883 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.169 766 4;
  • 22) 0.169 766 4 × 2 = 0 + 0.339 532 8;
  • 23) 0.339 532 8 × 2 = 0 + 0.679 065 6;
  • 24) 0.679 065 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.358 131 2;
  • 25) 0.358 131 2 × 2 = 0 + 0.716 262 4;
  • 26) 0.716 262 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.432 524 8;
  • 27) 0.432 524 8 × 2 = 0 + 0.865 049 6;
  • 28) 0.865 049 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.730 099 2;
  • 29) 0.730 099 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.460 198 4;
  • 30) 0.460 198 4 × 2 = 0 + 0.920 396 8;
  • 31) 0.920 396 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.840 793 6;
  • 32) 0.840 793 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.681 587 2;
  • 33) 0.681 587 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.363 174 4;
  • 34) 0.363 174 4 × 2 = 0 + 0.726 348 8;
  • 35) 0.726 348 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.452 697 6;
  • 36) 0.452 697 6 × 2 = 0 + 0.905 395 2;

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:


0.000 193 2(10) =


0.0000 0000 0000 1100 1010 1001 0101 1011 1010(2)

6. Positive number before normalization:

0.000 193 2(10) =


0.0000 0000 0000 1100 1010 1001 0101 1011 1010(2)

7. Normalize the binary representation of the number.

Shift the decimal mark 13 positions to the right, so that only one non zero digit remains to the left of it:


0.000 193 2(10) =


0.0000 0000 0000 1100 1010 1001 0101 1011 1010(2) =


0.0000 0000 0000 1100 1010 1001 0101 1011 1010(2) × 20 =


1.1001 0101 0010 1011 0111 010(2) × 2-13


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): -13


Mantissa (not normalized):
1.1001 0101 0010 1011 0111 010


9. Adjust the exponent.

Use the 8 bit excess/bias notation:


Exponent (adjusted) =


Exponent (unadjusted) + 2(8-1) - 1 =


-13 + 2(8-1) - 1 =


(-13 + 127)(10) =


114(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;
  • 114 ÷ 2 = 57 + 0;
  • 57 ÷ 2 = 28 + 1;
  • 28 ÷ 2 = 14 + 0;
  • 14 ÷ 2 = 7 + 0;
  • 7 ÷ 2 = 3 + 1;
  • 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) =


114(10) =


0111 0010(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 1010 1001 0101 1011 1010 =


100 1010 1001 0101 1011 1010


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) =
0111 0010


Mantissa (23 bits) =
100 1010 1001 0101 1011 1010


Decimal number -0.000 193 2 converted to 32 bit single precision IEEE 754 binary floating point representation:

1 - 0111 0010 - 100 1010 1001 0101 1011 1010


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