-0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 517 Converted to 64 Bit Double Precision IEEE 754 Binary Floating Point Representation Standard

Convert decimal -0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 517(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
-0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 517(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:

|-0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 517| = 0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 517


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: 0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 517.

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) 0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 517 × 2 = 0 + 0.033 477 783 203 124 993 061 034;
  • 2) 0.033 477 783 203 124 993 061 034 × 2 = 0 + 0.066 955 566 406 249 986 122 068;
  • 3) 0.066 955 566 406 249 986 122 068 × 2 = 0 + 0.133 911 132 812 499 972 244 136;
  • 4) 0.133 911 132 812 499 972 244 136 × 2 = 0 + 0.267 822 265 624 999 944 488 272;
  • 5) 0.267 822 265 624 999 944 488 272 × 2 = 0 + 0.535 644 531 249 999 888 976 544;
  • 6) 0.535 644 531 249 999 888 976 544 × 2 = 1 + 0.071 289 062 499 999 777 953 088;
  • 7) 0.071 289 062 499 999 777 953 088 × 2 = 0 + 0.142 578 124 999 999 555 906 176;
  • 8) 0.142 578 124 999 999 555 906 176 × 2 = 0 + 0.285 156 249 999 999 111 812 352;
  • 9) 0.285 156 249 999 999 111 812 352 × 2 = 0 + 0.570 312 499 999 998 223 624 704;
  • 10) 0.570 312 499 999 998 223 624 704 × 2 = 1 + 0.140 624 999 999 996 447 249 408;
  • 11) 0.140 624 999 999 996 447 249 408 × 2 = 0 + 0.281 249 999 999 992 894 498 816;
  • 12) 0.281 249 999 999 992 894 498 816 × 2 = 0 + 0.562 499 999 999 985 788 997 632;
  • 13) 0.562 499 999 999 985 788 997 632 × 2 = 1 + 0.124 999 999 999 971 577 995 264;
  • 14) 0.124 999 999 999 971 577 995 264 × 2 = 0 + 0.249 999 999 999 943 155 990 528;
  • 15) 0.249 999 999 999 943 155 990 528 × 2 = 0 + 0.499 999 999 999 886 311 981 056;
  • 16) 0.499 999 999 999 886 311 981 056 × 2 = 0 + 0.999 999 999 999 772 623 962 112;
  • 17) 0.999 999 999 999 772 623 962 112 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 999 545 247 924 224;
  • 18) 0.999 999 999 999 545 247 924 224 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 999 090 495 848 448;
  • 19) 0.999 999 999 999 090 495 848 448 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 998 180 991 696 896;
  • 20) 0.999 999 999 998 180 991 696 896 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 996 361 983 393 792;
  • 21) 0.999 999 999 996 361 983 393 792 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 992 723 966 787 584;
  • 22) 0.999 999 999 992 723 966 787 584 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 985 447 933 575 168;
  • 23) 0.999 999 999 985 447 933 575 168 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 970 895 867 150 336;
  • 24) 0.999 999 999 970 895 867 150 336 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 941 791 734 300 672;
  • 25) 0.999 999 999 941 791 734 300 672 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 883 583 468 601 344;
  • 26) 0.999 999 999 883 583 468 601 344 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 767 166 937 202 688;
  • 27) 0.999 999 999 767 166 937 202 688 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 534 333 874 405 376;
  • 28) 0.999 999 999 534 333 874 405 376 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 068 667 748 810 752;
  • 29) 0.999 999 999 068 667 748 810 752 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 998 137 335 497 621 504;
  • 30) 0.999 999 998 137 335 497 621 504 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 996 274 670 995 243 008;
  • 31) 0.999 999 996 274 670 995 243 008 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 992 549 341 990 486 016;
  • 32) 0.999 999 992 549 341 990 486 016 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 985 098 683 980 972 032;
  • 33) 0.999 999 985 098 683 980 972 032 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 970 197 367 961 944 064;
  • 34) 0.999 999 970 197 367 961 944 064 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 940 394 735 923 888 128;
  • 35) 0.999 999 940 394 735 923 888 128 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 880 789 471 847 776 256;
  • 36) 0.999 999 880 789 471 847 776 256 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 761 578 943 695 552 512;
  • 37) 0.999 999 761 578 943 695 552 512 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 523 157 887 391 105 024;
  • 38) 0.999 999 523 157 887 391 105 024 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 046 315 774 782 210 048;
  • 39) 0.999 999 046 315 774 782 210 048 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 998 092 631 549 564 420 096;
  • 40) 0.999 998 092 631 549 564 420 096 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 996 185 263 099 128 840 192;
  • 41) 0.999 996 185 263 099 128 840 192 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 992 370 526 198 257 680 384;
  • 42) 0.999 992 370 526 198 257 680 384 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 984 741 052 396 515 360 768;
  • 43) 0.999 984 741 052 396 515 360 768 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 969 482 104 793 030 721 536;
  • 44) 0.999 969 482 104 793 030 721 536 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 938 964 209 586 061 443 072;
  • 45) 0.999 938 964 209 586 061 443 072 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 877 928 419 172 122 886 144;
  • 46) 0.999 877 928 419 172 122 886 144 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 755 856 838 344 245 772 288;
  • 47) 0.999 755 856 838 344 245 772 288 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 511 713 676 688 491 544 576;
  • 48) 0.999 511 713 676 688 491 544 576 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 023 427 353 376 983 089 152;
  • 49) 0.999 023 427 353 376 983 089 152 × 2 = 1 + 0.998 046 854 706 753 966 178 304;
  • 50) 0.998 046 854 706 753 966 178 304 × 2 = 1 + 0.996 093 709 413 507 932 356 608;
  • 51) 0.996 093 709 413 507 932 356 608 × 2 = 1 + 0.992 187 418 827 015 864 713 216;
  • 52) 0.992 187 418 827 015 864 713 216 × 2 = 1 + 0.984 374 837 654 031 729 426 432;
  • 53) 0.984 374 837 654 031 729 426 432 × 2 = 1 + 0.968 749 675 308 063 458 852 864;
  • 54) 0.968 749 675 308 063 458 852 864 × 2 = 1 + 0.937 499 350 616 126 917 705 728;
  • 55) 0.937 499 350 616 126 917 705 728 × 2 = 1 + 0.874 998 701 232 253 835 411 456;
  • 56) 0.874 998 701 232 253 835 411 456 × 2 = 1 + 0.749 997 402 464 507 670 822 912;
  • 57) 0.749 997 402 464 507 670 822 912 × 2 = 1 + 0.499 994 804 929 015 341 645 824;
  • 58) 0.499 994 804 929 015 341 645 824 × 2 = 0 + 0.999 989 609 858 030 683 291 648;

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:


0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 517(10) =


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

6. Positive number before normalization:

0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 517(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:


0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 517(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 -0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 517 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