-0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 535 9 Converted to 64 Bit Double Precision IEEE 754 Binary Floating Point Representation Standard

Convert decimal -0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 535 9(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
-0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 535 9(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:

|-0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 535 9| = 0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 535 9


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: 0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 535 9.

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) 0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 535 9 × 2 = 0 + 0.033 477 783 203 124 993 061 071 8;
  • 2) 0.033 477 783 203 124 993 061 071 8 × 2 = 0 + 0.066 955 566 406 249 986 122 143 6;
  • 3) 0.066 955 566 406 249 986 122 143 6 × 2 = 0 + 0.133 911 132 812 499 972 244 287 2;
  • 4) 0.133 911 132 812 499 972 244 287 2 × 2 = 0 + 0.267 822 265 624 999 944 488 574 4;
  • 5) 0.267 822 265 624 999 944 488 574 4 × 2 = 0 + 0.535 644 531 249 999 888 977 148 8;
  • 6) 0.535 644 531 249 999 888 977 148 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.071 289 062 499 999 777 954 297 6;
  • 7) 0.071 289 062 499 999 777 954 297 6 × 2 = 0 + 0.142 578 124 999 999 555 908 595 2;
  • 8) 0.142 578 124 999 999 555 908 595 2 × 2 = 0 + 0.285 156 249 999 999 111 817 190 4;
  • 9) 0.285 156 249 999 999 111 817 190 4 × 2 = 0 + 0.570 312 499 999 998 223 634 380 8;
  • 10) 0.570 312 499 999 998 223 634 380 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.140 624 999 999 996 447 268 761 6;
  • 11) 0.140 624 999 999 996 447 268 761 6 × 2 = 0 + 0.281 249 999 999 992 894 537 523 2;
  • 12) 0.281 249 999 999 992 894 537 523 2 × 2 = 0 + 0.562 499 999 999 985 789 075 046 4;
  • 13) 0.562 499 999 999 985 789 075 046 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.124 999 999 999 971 578 150 092 8;
  • 14) 0.124 999 999 999 971 578 150 092 8 × 2 = 0 + 0.249 999 999 999 943 156 300 185 6;
  • 15) 0.249 999 999 999 943 156 300 185 6 × 2 = 0 + 0.499 999 999 999 886 312 600 371 2;
  • 16) 0.499 999 999 999 886 312 600 371 2 × 2 = 0 + 0.999 999 999 999 772 625 200 742 4;
  • 17) 0.999 999 999 999 772 625 200 742 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 999 545 250 401 484 8;
  • 18) 0.999 999 999 999 545 250 401 484 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 999 090 500 802 969 6;
  • 19) 0.999 999 999 999 090 500 802 969 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 998 181 001 605 939 2;
  • 20) 0.999 999 999 998 181 001 605 939 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 996 362 003 211 878 4;
  • 21) 0.999 999 999 996 362 003 211 878 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 992 724 006 423 756 8;
  • 22) 0.999 999 999 992 724 006 423 756 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 985 448 012 847 513 6;
  • 23) 0.999 999 999 985 448 012 847 513 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 970 896 025 695 027 2;
  • 24) 0.999 999 999 970 896 025 695 027 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 941 792 051 390 054 4;
  • 25) 0.999 999 999 941 792 051 390 054 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 883 584 102 780 108 8;
  • 26) 0.999 999 999 883 584 102 780 108 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 767 168 205 560 217 6;
  • 27) 0.999 999 999 767 168 205 560 217 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 534 336 411 120 435 2;
  • 28) 0.999 999 999 534 336 411 120 435 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 068 672 822 240 870 4;
  • 29) 0.999 999 999 068 672 822 240 870 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 998 137 345 644 481 740 8;
  • 30) 0.999 999 998 137 345 644 481 740 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 996 274 691 288 963 481 6;
  • 31) 0.999 999 996 274 691 288 963 481 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 992 549 382 577 926 963 2;
  • 32) 0.999 999 992 549 382 577 926 963 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 985 098 765 155 853 926 4;
  • 33) 0.999 999 985 098 765 155 853 926 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 970 197 530 311 707 852 8;
  • 34) 0.999 999 970 197 530 311 707 852 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 940 395 060 623 415 705 6;
  • 35) 0.999 999 940 395 060 623 415 705 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 880 790 121 246 831 411 2;
  • 36) 0.999 999 880 790 121 246 831 411 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 761 580 242 493 662 822 4;
  • 37) 0.999 999 761 580 242 493 662 822 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 523 160 484 987 325 644 8;
  • 38) 0.999 999 523 160 484 987 325 644 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 046 320 969 974 651 289 6;
  • 39) 0.999 999 046 320 969 974 651 289 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 998 092 641 939 949 302 579 2;
  • 40) 0.999 998 092 641 939 949 302 579 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 996 185 283 879 898 605 158 4;
  • 41) 0.999 996 185 283 879 898 605 158 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 992 370 567 759 797 210 316 8;
  • 42) 0.999 992 370 567 759 797 210 316 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 984 741 135 519 594 420 633 6;
  • 43) 0.999 984 741 135 519 594 420 633 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 969 482 271 039 188 841 267 2;
  • 44) 0.999 969 482 271 039 188 841 267 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 938 964 542 078 377 682 534 4;
  • 45) 0.999 938 964 542 078 377 682 534 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 877 929 084 156 755 365 068 8;
  • 46) 0.999 877 929 084 156 755 365 068 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 755 858 168 313 510 730 137 6;
  • 47) 0.999 755 858 168 313 510 730 137 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 511 716 336 627 021 460 275 2;
  • 48) 0.999 511 716 336 627 021 460 275 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 023 432 673 254 042 920 550 4;
  • 49) 0.999 023 432 673 254 042 920 550 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.998 046 865 346 508 085 841 100 8;
  • 50) 0.998 046 865 346 508 085 841 100 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.996 093 730 693 016 171 682 201 6;
  • 51) 0.996 093 730 693 016 171 682 201 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.992 187 461 386 032 343 364 403 2;
  • 52) 0.992 187 461 386 032 343 364 403 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.984 374 922 772 064 686 728 806 4;
  • 53) 0.984 374 922 772 064 686 728 806 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.968 749 845 544 129 373 457 612 8;
  • 54) 0.968 749 845 544 129 373 457 612 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.937 499 691 088 258 746 915 225 6;
  • 55) 0.937 499 691 088 258 746 915 225 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.874 999 382 176 517 493 830 451 2;
  • 56) 0.874 999 382 176 517 493 830 451 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.749 998 764 353 034 987 660 902 4;
  • 57) 0.749 998 764 353 034 987 660 902 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.499 997 528 706 069 975 321 804 8;
  • 58) 0.499 997 528 706 069 975 321 804 8 × 2 = 0 + 0.999 995 057 412 139 950 643 609 6;

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:


0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 535 9(10) =


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

6. Positive number before normalization:

0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 535 9(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:


0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 535 9(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 -0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 535 9 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