-0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 36 Converted to 64 Bit Double Precision IEEE 754 Binary Floating Point Representation Standard

Convert decimal -0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 36(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
-0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 36(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:

|-0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 36| = 0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 36


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: 0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 36.

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) 0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 36 × 2 = 0 + 0.033 477 783 203 124 993 060 72;
  • 2) 0.033 477 783 203 124 993 060 72 × 2 = 0 + 0.066 955 566 406 249 986 121 44;
  • 3) 0.066 955 566 406 249 986 121 44 × 2 = 0 + 0.133 911 132 812 499 972 242 88;
  • 4) 0.133 911 132 812 499 972 242 88 × 2 = 0 + 0.267 822 265 624 999 944 485 76;
  • 5) 0.267 822 265 624 999 944 485 76 × 2 = 0 + 0.535 644 531 249 999 888 971 52;
  • 6) 0.535 644 531 249 999 888 971 52 × 2 = 1 + 0.071 289 062 499 999 777 943 04;
  • 7) 0.071 289 062 499 999 777 943 04 × 2 = 0 + 0.142 578 124 999 999 555 886 08;
  • 8) 0.142 578 124 999 999 555 886 08 × 2 = 0 + 0.285 156 249 999 999 111 772 16;
  • 9) 0.285 156 249 999 999 111 772 16 × 2 = 0 + 0.570 312 499 999 998 223 544 32;
  • 10) 0.570 312 499 999 998 223 544 32 × 2 = 1 + 0.140 624 999 999 996 447 088 64;
  • 11) 0.140 624 999 999 996 447 088 64 × 2 = 0 + 0.281 249 999 999 992 894 177 28;
  • 12) 0.281 249 999 999 992 894 177 28 × 2 = 0 + 0.562 499 999 999 985 788 354 56;
  • 13) 0.562 499 999 999 985 788 354 56 × 2 = 1 + 0.124 999 999 999 971 576 709 12;
  • 14) 0.124 999 999 999 971 576 709 12 × 2 = 0 + 0.249 999 999 999 943 153 418 24;
  • 15) 0.249 999 999 999 943 153 418 24 × 2 = 0 + 0.499 999 999 999 886 306 836 48;
  • 16) 0.499 999 999 999 886 306 836 48 × 2 = 0 + 0.999 999 999 999 772 613 672 96;
  • 17) 0.999 999 999 999 772 613 672 96 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 999 545 227 345 92;
  • 18) 0.999 999 999 999 545 227 345 92 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 999 090 454 691 84;
  • 19) 0.999 999 999 999 090 454 691 84 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 998 180 909 383 68;
  • 20) 0.999 999 999 998 180 909 383 68 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 996 361 818 767 36;
  • 21) 0.999 999 999 996 361 818 767 36 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 992 723 637 534 72;
  • 22) 0.999 999 999 992 723 637 534 72 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 985 447 275 069 44;
  • 23) 0.999 999 999 985 447 275 069 44 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 970 894 550 138 88;
  • 24) 0.999 999 999 970 894 550 138 88 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 941 789 100 277 76;
  • 25) 0.999 999 999 941 789 100 277 76 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 883 578 200 555 52;
  • 26) 0.999 999 999 883 578 200 555 52 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 767 156 401 111 04;
  • 27) 0.999 999 999 767 156 401 111 04 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 534 312 802 222 08;
  • 28) 0.999 999 999 534 312 802 222 08 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 068 625 604 444 16;
  • 29) 0.999 999 999 068 625 604 444 16 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 998 137 251 208 888 32;
  • 30) 0.999 999 998 137 251 208 888 32 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 996 274 502 417 776 64;
  • 31) 0.999 999 996 274 502 417 776 64 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 992 549 004 835 553 28;
  • 32) 0.999 999 992 549 004 835 553 28 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 985 098 009 671 106 56;
  • 33) 0.999 999 985 098 009 671 106 56 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 970 196 019 342 213 12;
  • 34) 0.999 999 970 196 019 342 213 12 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 940 392 038 684 426 24;
  • 35) 0.999 999 940 392 038 684 426 24 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 880 784 077 368 852 48;
  • 36) 0.999 999 880 784 077 368 852 48 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 761 568 154 737 704 96;
  • 37) 0.999 999 761 568 154 737 704 96 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 523 136 309 475 409 92;
  • 38) 0.999 999 523 136 309 475 409 92 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 046 272 618 950 819 84;
  • 39) 0.999 999 046 272 618 950 819 84 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 998 092 545 237 901 639 68;
  • 40) 0.999 998 092 545 237 901 639 68 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 996 185 090 475 803 279 36;
  • 41) 0.999 996 185 090 475 803 279 36 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 992 370 180 951 606 558 72;
  • 42) 0.999 992 370 180 951 606 558 72 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 984 740 361 903 213 117 44;
  • 43) 0.999 984 740 361 903 213 117 44 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 969 480 723 806 426 234 88;
  • 44) 0.999 969 480 723 806 426 234 88 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 938 961 447 612 852 469 76;
  • 45) 0.999 938 961 447 612 852 469 76 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 877 922 895 225 704 939 52;
  • 46) 0.999 877 922 895 225 704 939 52 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 755 845 790 451 409 879 04;
  • 47) 0.999 755 845 790 451 409 879 04 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 511 691 580 902 819 758 08;
  • 48) 0.999 511 691 580 902 819 758 08 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 023 383 161 805 639 516 16;
  • 49) 0.999 023 383 161 805 639 516 16 × 2 = 1 + 0.998 046 766 323 611 279 032 32;
  • 50) 0.998 046 766 323 611 279 032 32 × 2 = 1 + 0.996 093 532 647 222 558 064 64;
  • 51) 0.996 093 532 647 222 558 064 64 × 2 = 1 + 0.992 187 065 294 445 116 129 28;
  • 52) 0.992 187 065 294 445 116 129 28 × 2 = 1 + 0.984 374 130 588 890 232 258 56;
  • 53) 0.984 374 130 588 890 232 258 56 × 2 = 1 + 0.968 748 261 177 780 464 517 12;
  • 54) 0.968 748 261 177 780 464 517 12 × 2 = 1 + 0.937 496 522 355 560 929 034 24;
  • 55) 0.937 496 522 355 560 929 034 24 × 2 = 1 + 0.874 993 044 711 121 858 068 48;
  • 56) 0.874 993 044 711 121 858 068 48 × 2 = 1 + 0.749 986 089 422 243 716 136 96;
  • 57) 0.749 986 089 422 243 716 136 96 × 2 = 1 + 0.499 972 178 844 487 432 273 92;
  • 58) 0.499 972 178 844 487 432 273 92 × 2 = 0 + 0.999 944 357 688 974 864 547 84;

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:


0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 36(10) =


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

6. Positive number before normalization:

0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 36(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:


0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 36(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 -0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 36 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