-0.016 738 891 601 562 496 526 6 Converted to 64 Bit Double Precision IEEE 754 Binary Floating Point Representation Standard

Convert decimal -0.016 738 891 601 562 496 526 6(10) to 64 bit double precision IEEE 754 binary floating point representation standard (1 bit for sign, 11 bits for exponent, 52 bits for mantissa)

What are the steps to convert decimal number
-0.016 738 891 601 562 496 526 6(10) to 64 bit double precision IEEE 754 binary floating point representation (1 bit for sign, 11 bits for exponent, 52 bits for mantissa)

1. Start with the positive version of the number:

|-0.016 738 891 601 562 496 526 6| = 0.016 738 891 601 562 496 526 6


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: 0.016 738 891 601 562 496 526 6.

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) 0.016 738 891 601 562 496 526 6 × 2 = 0 + 0.033 477 783 203 124 993 053 2;
  • 2) 0.033 477 783 203 124 993 053 2 × 2 = 0 + 0.066 955 566 406 249 986 106 4;
  • 3) 0.066 955 566 406 249 986 106 4 × 2 = 0 + 0.133 911 132 812 499 972 212 8;
  • 4) 0.133 911 132 812 499 972 212 8 × 2 = 0 + 0.267 822 265 624 999 944 425 6;
  • 5) 0.267 822 265 624 999 944 425 6 × 2 = 0 + 0.535 644 531 249 999 888 851 2;
  • 6) 0.535 644 531 249 999 888 851 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.071 289 062 499 999 777 702 4;
  • 7) 0.071 289 062 499 999 777 702 4 × 2 = 0 + 0.142 578 124 999 999 555 404 8;
  • 8) 0.142 578 124 999 999 555 404 8 × 2 = 0 + 0.285 156 249 999 999 110 809 6;
  • 9) 0.285 156 249 999 999 110 809 6 × 2 = 0 + 0.570 312 499 999 998 221 619 2;
  • 10) 0.570 312 499 999 998 221 619 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.140 624 999 999 996 443 238 4;
  • 11) 0.140 624 999 999 996 443 238 4 × 2 = 0 + 0.281 249 999 999 992 886 476 8;
  • 12) 0.281 249 999 999 992 886 476 8 × 2 = 0 + 0.562 499 999 999 985 772 953 6;
  • 13) 0.562 499 999 999 985 772 953 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.124 999 999 999 971 545 907 2;
  • 14) 0.124 999 999 999 971 545 907 2 × 2 = 0 + 0.249 999 999 999 943 091 814 4;
  • 15) 0.249 999 999 999 943 091 814 4 × 2 = 0 + 0.499 999 999 999 886 183 628 8;
  • 16) 0.499 999 999 999 886 183 628 8 × 2 = 0 + 0.999 999 999 999 772 367 257 6;
  • 17) 0.999 999 999 999 772 367 257 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 999 544 734 515 2;
  • 18) 0.999 999 999 999 544 734 515 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 999 089 469 030 4;
  • 19) 0.999 999 999 999 089 469 030 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 998 178 938 060 8;
  • 20) 0.999 999 999 998 178 938 060 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 996 357 876 121 6;
  • 21) 0.999 999 999 996 357 876 121 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 992 715 752 243 2;
  • 22) 0.999 999 999 992 715 752 243 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 985 431 504 486 4;
  • 23) 0.999 999 999 985 431 504 486 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 970 863 008 972 8;
  • 24) 0.999 999 999 970 863 008 972 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 941 726 017 945 6;
  • 25) 0.999 999 999 941 726 017 945 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 883 452 035 891 2;
  • 26) 0.999 999 999 883 452 035 891 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 766 904 071 782 4;
  • 27) 0.999 999 999 766 904 071 782 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 533 808 143 564 8;
  • 28) 0.999 999 999 533 808 143 564 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 067 616 287 129 6;
  • 29) 0.999 999 999 067 616 287 129 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 998 135 232 574 259 2;
  • 30) 0.999 999 998 135 232 574 259 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 996 270 465 148 518 4;
  • 31) 0.999 999 996 270 465 148 518 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 992 540 930 297 036 8;
  • 32) 0.999 999 992 540 930 297 036 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 985 081 860 594 073 6;
  • 33) 0.999 999 985 081 860 594 073 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 970 163 721 188 147 2;
  • 34) 0.999 999 970 163 721 188 147 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 940 327 442 376 294 4;
  • 35) 0.999 999 940 327 442 376 294 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 880 654 884 752 588 8;
  • 36) 0.999 999 880 654 884 752 588 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 761 309 769 505 177 6;
  • 37) 0.999 999 761 309 769 505 177 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 522 619 539 010 355 2;
  • 38) 0.999 999 522 619 539 010 355 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 045 239 078 020 710 4;
  • 39) 0.999 999 045 239 078 020 710 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 998 090 478 156 041 420 8;
  • 40) 0.999 998 090 478 156 041 420 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 996 180 956 312 082 841 6;
  • 41) 0.999 996 180 956 312 082 841 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 992 361 912 624 165 683 2;
  • 42) 0.999 992 361 912 624 165 683 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 984 723 825 248 331 366 4;
  • 43) 0.999 984 723 825 248 331 366 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 969 447 650 496 662 732 8;
  • 44) 0.999 969 447 650 496 662 732 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 938 895 300 993 325 465 6;
  • 45) 0.999 938 895 300 993 325 465 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 877 790 601 986 650 931 2;
  • 46) 0.999 877 790 601 986 650 931 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 755 581 203 973 301 862 4;
  • 47) 0.999 755 581 203 973 301 862 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 511 162 407 946 603 724 8;
  • 48) 0.999 511 162 407 946 603 724 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 022 324 815 893 207 449 6;
  • 49) 0.999 022 324 815 893 207 449 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.998 044 649 631 786 414 899 2;
  • 50) 0.998 044 649 631 786 414 899 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.996 089 299 263 572 829 798 4;
  • 51) 0.996 089 299 263 572 829 798 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.992 178 598 527 145 659 596 8;
  • 52) 0.992 178 598 527 145 659 596 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.984 357 197 054 291 319 193 6;
  • 53) 0.984 357 197 054 291 319 193 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.968 714 394 108 582 638 387 2;
  • 54) 0.968 714 394 108 582 638 387 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.937 428 788 217 165 276 774 4;
  • 55) 0.937 428 788 217 165 276 774 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.874 857 576 434 330 553 548 8;
  • 56) 0.874 857 576 434 330 553 548 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.749 715 152 868 661 107 097 6;
  • 57) 0.749 715 152 868 661 107 097 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.499 430 305 737 322 214 195 2;
  • 58) 0.499 430 305 737 322 214 195 2 × 2 = 0 + 0.998 860 611 474 644 428 390 4;

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:


0.016 738 891 601 562 496 526 6(10) =


0.0000 0100 0100 1000 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 10(2)

6. Positive number before normalization:

0.016 738 891 601 562 496 526 6(10) =


0.0000 0100 0100 1000 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 10(2)

7. Normalize the binary representation of the number.

Shift the decimal mark 6 positions to the right, so that only one non zero digit remains to the left of it:


0.016 738 891 601 562 496 526 6(10) =


0.0000 0100 0100 1000 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 10(2) =


0.0000 0100 0100 1000 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 10(2) × 20 =


1.0001 0010 0011 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1110(2) × 2-6


8. Up to this moment, there are the following elements that would feed into the 64 bit double precision IEEE 754 binary floating point representation:

Sign 1 (a negative number)


Exponent (unadjusted): -6


Mantissa (not normalized):
1.0001 0010 0011 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1110


9. Adjust the exponent.

Use the 11 bit excess/bias notation:


Exponent (adjusted) =


Exponent (unadjusted) + 2(11-1) - 1 =


-6 + 2(11-1) - 1 =


(-6 + 1 023)(10) =


1 017(10)


10. Convert the adjusted exponent from the decimal (base 10) to 11 bit binary.

Use the same technique of repeatedly dividing by 2:


  • division = quotient + remainder;
  • 1 017 ÷ 2 = 508 + 1;
  • 508 ÷ 2 = 254 + 0;
  • 254 ÷ 2 = 127 + 0;
  • 127 ÷ 2 = 63 + 1;
  • 63 ÷ 2 = 31 + 1;
  • 31 ÷ 2 = 15 + 1;
  • 15 ÷ 2 = 7 + 1;
  • 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) =


1017(10) =


011 1111 1001(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 52 bits, only if necessary (not the case here).


Mantissa (normalized) =


1. 0001 0010 0011 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1110 =


0001 0010 0011 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1110


13. The three elements that make up the number's 64 bit double precision IEEE 754 binary floating point representation:

Sign (1 bit) =
1 (a negative number)


Exponent (11 bits) =
011 1111 1001


Mantissa (52 bits) =
0001 0010 0011 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1110


Decimal number -0.016 738 891 601 562 496 526 6 converted to 64 bit double precision IEEE 754 binary floating point representation:

1 - 011 1111 1001 - 0001 0010 0011 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1110


How to convert numbers from the decimal system (base ten) to 64 bit double precision IEEE 754 binary floating point standard

Follow the steps below to convert a base 10 decimal number to 64 bit double 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 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 from the previous 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 multiplying operations, starting from the top of the list constructed 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, shifting the decimal mark (the decimal point) "n" positions either to the left, or to the right, so that only one non zero digit remains to the left of the decimal mark.
  • 7. Adjust the exponent in 11 bit excess/bias notation and then convert it from decimal (base 10) to 11 bit binary, by using the same technique of repeatedly dividing by 2, as shown above:
    Exponent (adjusted) = Exponent (unadjusted) + 2(11-1) - 1
  • 8. Normalize mantissa, remove the leading (leftmost) bit, since it's allways '1' (and the decimal mark, if the case) and adjust its length to 52 bits, either by removing the excess bits from the right (losing precision...) or by adding extra bits set on '0' 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 -31.640 215 from the decimal system (base ten) to 64 bit double precision IEEE 754 binary floating point:

  • 1. Start with the positive version of the number:

    |-31.640 215| = 31.640 215

  • 2. First convert the integer part, 31. Divide it repeatedly by 2, keeping track of each remainder, until we get a quotient that is equal to zero:
    • division = quotient + remainder;
    • 31 ÷ 2 = 15 + 1;
    • 15 ÷ 2 = 7 + 1;
    • 7 ÷ 2 = 3 + 1;
    • 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:

    31(10) = 1 1111(2)

  • 4. Then, convert the fractional part, 0.640 215. 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) 0.640 215 × 2 = 1 + 0.280 43;
    • 2) 0.280 43 × 2 = 0 + 0.560 86;
    • 3) 0.560 86 × 2 = 1 + 0.121 72;
    • 4) 0.121 72 × 2 = 0 + 0.243 44;
    • 5) 0.243 44 × 2 = 0 + 0.486 88;
    • 6) 0.486 88 × 2 = 0 + 0.973 76;
    • 7) 0.973 76 × 2 = 1 + 0.947 52;
    • 8) 0.947 52 × 2 = 1 + 0.895 04;
    • 9) 0.895 04 × 2 = 1 + 0.790 08;
    • 10) 0.790 08 × 2 = 1 + 0.580 16;
    • 11) 0.580 16 × 2 = 1 + 0.160 32;
    • 12) 0.160 32 × 2 = 0 + 0.320 64;
    • 13) 0.320 64 × 2 = 0 + 0.641 28;
    • 14) 0.641 28 × 2 = 1 + 0.282 56;
    • 15) 0.282 56 × 2 = 0 + 0.565 12;
    • 16) 0.565 12 × 2 = 1 + 0.130 24;
    • 17) 0.130 24 × 2 = 0 + 0.260 48;
    • 18) 0.260 48 × 2 = 0 + 0.520 96;
    • 19) 0.520 96 × 2 = 1 + 0.041 92;
    • 20) 0.041 92 × 2 = 0 + 0.083 84;
    • 21) 0.083 84 × 2 = 0 + 0.167 68;
    • 22) 0.167 68 × 2 = 0 + 0.335 36;
    • 23) 0.335 36 × 2 = 0 + 0.670 72;
    • 24) 0.670 72 × 2 = 1 + 0.341 44;
    • 25) 0.341 44 × 2 = 0 + 0.682 88;
    • 26) 0.682 88 × 2 = 1 + 0.365 76;
    • 27) 0.365 76 × 2 = 0 + 0.731 52;
    • 28) 0.731 52 × 2 = 1 + 0.463 04;
    • 29) 0.463 04 × 2 = 0 + 0.926 08;
    • 30) 0.926 08 × 2 = 1 + 0.852 16;
    • 31) 0.852 16 × 2 = 1 + 0.704 32;
    • 32) 0.704 32 × 2 = 1 + 0.408 64;
    • 33) 0.408 64 × 2 = 0 + 0.817 28;
    • 34) 0.817 28 × 2 = 1 + 0.634 56;
    • 35) 0.634 56 × 2 = 1 + 0.269 12;
    • 36) 0.269 12 × 2 = 0 + 0.538 24;
    • 37) 0.538 24 × 2 = 1 + 0.076 48;
    • 38) 0.076 48 × 2 = 0 + 0.152 96;
    • 39) 0.152 96 × 2 = 0 + 0.305 92;
    • 40) 0.305 92 × 2 = 0 + 0.611 84;
    • 41) 0.611 84 × 2 = 1 + 0.223 68;
    • 42) 0.223 68 × 2 = 0 + 0.447 36;
    • 43) 0.447 36 × 2 = 0 + 0.894 72;
    • 44) 0.894 72 × 2 = 1 + 0.789 44;
    • 45) 0.789 44 × 2 = 1 + 0.578 88;
    • 46) 0.578 88 × 2 = 1 + 0.157 76;
    • 47) 0.157 76 × 2 = 0 + 0.315 52;
    • 48) 0.315 52 × 2 = 0 + 0.631 04;
    • 49) 0.631 04 × 2 = 1 + 0.262 08;
    • 50) 0.262 08 × 2 = 0 + 0.524 16;
    • 51) 0.524 16 × 2 = 1 + 0.048 32;
    • 52) 0.048 32 × 2 = 0 + 0.096 64;
    • 53) 0.096 64 × 2 = 0 + 0.193 28;
    • We didn't get any fractional part that was equal to zero. But we had enough iterations (over Mantissa limit = 52) 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:

    0.640 215(10) = 0.1010 0011 1110 0101 0010 0001 0101 0111 0110 1000 1001 1100 1010 0(2)

  • 6. Summarizing - the positive number before normalization:

    31.640 215(10) = 1 1111.1010 0011 1110 0101 0010 0001 0101 0111 0110 1000 1001 1100 1010 0(2)

  • 7. Normalize the binary representation of the number, shifting the decimal mark 4 positions to the left so that only one non-zero digit stays to the left of the decimal mark:

    31.640 215(10) =
    1 1111.1010 0011 1110 0101 0010 0001 0101 0111 0110 1000 1001 1100 1010 0(2) =
    1 1111.1010 0011 1110 0101 0010 0001 0101 0111 0110 1000 1001 1100 1010 0(2) × 20 =
    1.1111 1010 0011 1110 0101 0010 0001 0101 0111 0110 1000 1001 1100 1010 0(2) × 24

  • 8. Up to this moment, there are the following elements that would feed into the 64 bit double precision IEEE 754 binary floating point representation:

    Sign: 1 (a negative number)

    Exponent (unadjusted): 4

    Mantissa (not-normalized): 1.1111 1010 0011 1110 0101 0010 0001 0101 0111 0110 1000 1001 1100 1010 0

  • 9. Adjust the exponent in 11 bit excess/bias notation and then convert it from decimal (base 10) to 11 bit binary (base 2), by using the same technique of repeatedly dividing it by 2, as shown above:

    Exponent (adjusted) = Exponent (unadjusted) + 2(11-1) - 1 = (4 + 1023)(10) = 1027(10) =
    100 0000 0011(2)

  • 10. Normalize mantissa, remove the leading (leftmost) bit, since it's allways '1' (and the decimal sign) and adjust its length to 52 bits, by removing the excess bits, from the right (losing precision...):

    Mantissa (not-normalized): 1.1111 1010 0011 1110 0101 0010 0001 0101 0111 0110 1000 1001 1100 1010 0

    Mantissa (normalized): 1111 1010 0011 1110 0101 0010 0001 0101 0111 0110 1000 1001 1100

  • Conclusion:

    Sign (1 bit) = 1 (a negative number)

    Exponent (8 bits) = 100 0000 0011

    Mantissa (52 bits) = 1111 1010 0011 1110 0101 0010 0001 0101 0111 0110 1000 1001 1100

  • Number -31.640 215, converted from decimal system (base 10) to 64 bit double precision IEEE 754 binary floating point =
    1 - 100 0000 0011 - 1111 1010 0011 1110 0101 0010 0001 0101 0111 0110 1000 1001 1100