-0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 471 Converted to 64 Bit Double Precision IEEE 754 Binary Floating Point Representation Standard

Convert decimal -0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 471(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
-0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 471(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:

|-0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 471| = 0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 471


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: 0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 471.

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) 0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 471 × 2 = 0 + 0.033 477 783 203 124 993 060 942;
  • 2) 0.033 477 783 203 124 993 060 942 × 2 = 0 + 0.066 955 566 406 249 986 121 884;
  • 3) 0.066 955 566 406 249 986 121 884 × 2 = 0 + 0.133 911 132 812 499 972 243 768;
  • 4) 0.133 911 132 812 499 972 243 768 × 2 = 0 + 0.267 822 265 624 999 944 487 536;
  • 5) 0.267 822 265 624 999 944 487 536 × 2 = 0 + 0.535 644 531 249 999 888 975 072;
  • 6) 0.535 644 531 249 999 888 975 072 × 2 = 1 + 0.071 289 062 499 999 777 950 144;
  • 7) 0.071 289 062 499 999 777 950 144 × 2 = 0 + 0.142 578 124 999 999 555 900 288;
  • 8) 0.142 578 124 999 999 555 900 288 × 2 = 0 + 0.285 156 249 999 999 111 800 576;
  • 9) 0.285 156 249 999 999 111 800 576 × 2 = 0 + 0.570 312 499 999 998 223 601 152;
  • 10) 0.570 312 499 999 998 223 601 152 × 2 = 1 + 0.140 624 999 999 996 447 202 304;
  • 11) 0.140 624 999 999 996 447 202 304 × 2 = 0 + 0.281 249 999 999 992 894 404 608;
  • 12) 0.281 249 999 999 992 894 404 608 × 2 = 0 + 0.562 499 999 999 985 788 809 216;
  • 13) 0.562 499 999 999 985 788 809 216 × 2 = 1 + 0.124 999 999 999 971 577 618 432;
  • 14) 0.124 999 999 999 971 577 618 432 × 2 = 0 + 0.249 999 999 999 943 155 236 864;
  • 15) 0.249 999 999 999 943 155 236 864 × 2 = 0 + 0.499 999 999 999 886 310 473 728;
  • 16) 0.499 999 999 999 886 310 473 728 × 2 = 0 + 0.999 999 999 999 772 620 947 456;
  • 17) 0.999 999 999 999 772 620 947 456 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 999 545 241 894 912;
  • 18) 0.999 999 999 999 545 241 894 912 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 999 090 483 789 824;
  • 19) 0.999 999 999 999 090 483 789 824 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 998 180 967 579 648;
  • 20) 0.999 999 999 998 180 967 579 648 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 996 361 935 159 296;
  • 21) 0.999 999 999 996 361 935 159 296 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 992 723 870 318 592;
  • 22) 0.999 999 999 992 723 870 318 592 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 985 447 740 637 184;
  • 23) 0.999 999 999 985 447 740 637 184 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 970 895 481 274 368;
  • 24) 0.999 999 999 970 895 481 274 368 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 941 790 962 548 736;
  • 25) 0.999 999 999 941 790 962 548 736 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 883 581 925 097 472;
  • 26) 0.999 999 999 883 581 925 097 472 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 767 163 850 194 944;
  • 27) 0.999 999 999 767 163 850 194 944 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 534 327 700 389 888;
  • 28) 0.999 999 999 534 327 700 389 888 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 068 655 400 779 776;
  • 29) 0.999 999 999 068 655 400 779 776 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 998 137 310 801 559 552;
  • 30) 0.999 999 998 137 310 801 559 552 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 996 274 621 603 119 104;
  • 31) 0.999 999 996 274 621 603 119 104 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 992 549 243 206 238 208;
  • 32) 0.999 999 992 549 243 206 238 208 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 985 098 486 412 476 416;
  • 33) 0.999 999 985 098 486 412 476 416 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 970 196 972 824 952 832;
  • 34) 0.999 999 970 196 972 824 952 832 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 940 393 945 649 905 664;
  • 35) 0.999 999 940 393 945 649 905 664 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 880 787 891 299 811 328;
  • 36) 0.999 999 880 787 891 299 811 328 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 761 575 782 599 622 656;
  • 37) 0.999 999 761 575 782 599 622 656 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 523 151 565 199 245 312;
  • 38) 0.999 999 523 151 565 199 245 312 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 046 303 130 398 490 624;
  • 39) 0.999 999 046 303 130 398 490 624 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 998 092 606 260 796 981 248;
  • 40) 0.999 998 092 606 260 796 981 248 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 996 185 212 521 593 962 496;
  • 41) 0.999 996 185 212 521 593 962 496 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 992 370 425 043 187 924 992;
  • 42) 0.999 992 370 425 043 187 924 992 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 984 740 850 086 375 849 984;
  • 43) 0.999 984 740 850 086 375 849 984 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 969 481 700 172 751 699 968;
  • 44) 0.999 969 481 700 172 751 699 968 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 938 963 400 345 503 399 936;
  • 45) 0.999 938 963 400 345 503 399 936 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 877 926 800 691 006 799 872;
  • 46) 0.999 877 926 800 691 006 799 872 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 755 853 601 382 013 599 744;
  • 47) 0.999 755 853 601 382 013 599 744 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 511 707 202 764 027 199 488;
  • 48) 0.999 511 707 202 764 027 199 488 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 023 414 405 528 054 398 976;
  • 49) 0.999 023 414 405 528 054 398 976 × 2 = 1 + 0.998 046 828 811 056 108 797 952;
  • 50) 0.998 046 828 811 056 108 797 952 × 2 = 1 + 0.996 093 657 622 112 217 595 904;
  • 51) 0.996 093 657 622 112 217 595 904 × 2 = 1 + 0.992 187 315 244 224 435 191 808;
  • 52) 0.992 187 315 244 224 435 191 808 × 2 = 1 + 0.984 374 630 488 448 870 383 616;
  • 53) 0.984 374 630 488 448 870 383 616 × 2 = 1 + 0.968 749 260 976 897 740 767 232;
  • 54) 0.968 749 260 976 897 740 767 232 × 2 = 1 + 0.937 498 521 953 795 481 534 464;
  • 55) 0.937 498 521 953 795 481 534 464 × 2 = 1 + 0.874 997 043 907 590 963 068 928;
  • 56) 0.874 997 043 907 590 963 068 928 × 2 = 1 + 0.749 994 087 815 181 926 137 856;
  • 57) 0.749 994 087 815 181 926 137 856 × 2 = 1 + 0.499 988 175 630 363 852 275 712;
  • 58) 0.499 988 175 630 363 852 275 712 × 2 = 0 + 0.999 976 351 260 727 704 551 424;

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:


0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 471(10) =


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

6. Positive number before normalization:

0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 471(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:


0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 471(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 -0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 471 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