-0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 547 Converted to 64 Bit Double Precision IEEE 754 Binary Floating Point Representation Standard

Convert decimal -0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 547(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
-0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 547(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:

|-0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 547| = 0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 547


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: 0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 547.

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) 0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 547 × 2 = 0 + 0.033 477 783 203 124 993 061 094;
  • 2) 0.033 477 783 203 124 993 061 094 × 2 = 0 + 0.066 955 566 406 249 986 122 188;
  • 3) 0.066 955 566 406 249 986 122 188 × 2 = 0 + 0.133 911 132 812 499 972 244 376;
  • 4) 0.133 911 132 812 499 972 244 376 × 2 = 0 + 0.267 822 265 624 999 944 488 752;
  • 5) 0.267 822 265 624 999 944 488 752 × 2 = 0 + 0.535 644 531 249 999 888 977 504;
  • 6) 0.535 644 531 249 999 888 977 504 × 2 = 1 + 0.071 289 062 499 999 777 955 008;
  • 7) 0.071 289 062 499 999 777 955 008 × 2 = 0 + 0.142 578 124 999 999 555 910 016;
  • 8) 0.142 578 124 999 999 555 910 016 × 2 = 0 + 0.285 156 249 999 999 111 820 032;
  • 9) 0.285 156 249 999 999 111 820 032 × 2 = 0 + 0.570 312 499 999 998 223 640 064;
  • 10) 0.570 312 499 999 998 223 640 064 × 2 = 1 + 0.140 624 999 999 996 447 280 128;
  • 11) 0.140 624 999 999 996 447 280 128 × 2 = 0 + 0.281 249 999 999 992 894 560 256;
  • 12) 0.281 249 999 999 992 894 560 256 × 2 = 0 + 0.562 499 999 999 985 789 120 512;
  • 13) 0.562 499 999 999 985 789 120 512 × 2 = 1 + 0.124 999 999 999 971 578 241 024;
  • 14) 0.124 999 999 999 971 578 241 024 × 2 = 0 + 0.249 999 999 999 943 156 482 048;
  • 15) 0.249 999 999 999 943 156 482 048 × 2 = 0 + 0.499 999 999 999 886 312 964 096;
  • 16) 0.499 999 999 999 886 312 964 096 × 2 = 0 + 0.999 999 999 999 772 625 928 192;
  • 17) 0.999 999 999 999 772 625 928 192 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 999 545 251 856 384;
  • 18) 0.999 999 999 999 545 251 856 384 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 999 090 503 712 768;
  • 19) 0.999 999 999 999 090 503 712 768 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 998 181 007 425 536;
  • 20) 0.999 999 999 998 181 007 425 536 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 996 362 014 851 072;
  • 21) 0.999 999 999 996 362 014 851 072 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 992 724 029 702 144;
  • 22) 0.999 999 999 992 724 029 702 144 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 985 448 059 404 288;
  • 23) 0.999 999 999 985 448 059 404 288 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 970 896 118 808 576;
  • 24) 0.999 999 999 970 896 118 808 576 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 941 792 237 617 152;
  • 25) 0.999 999 999 941 792 237 617 152 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 883 584 475 234 304;
  • 26) 0.999 999 999 883 584 475 234 304 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 767 168 950 468 608;
  • 27) 0.999 999 999 767 168 950 468 608 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 534 337 900 937 216;
  • 28) 0.999 999 999 534 337 900 937 216 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 068 675 801 874 432;
  • 29) 0.999 999 999 068 675 801 874 432 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 998 137 351 603 748 864;
  • 30) 0.999 999 998 137 351 603 748 864 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 996 274 703 207 497 728;
  • 31) 0.999 999 996 274 703 207 497 728 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 992 549 406 414 995 456;
  • 32) 0.999 999 992 549 406 414 995 456 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 985 098 812 829 990 912;
  • 33) 0.999 999 985 098 812 829 990 912 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 970 197 625 659 981 824;
  • 34) 0.999 999 970 197 625 659 981 824 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 940 395 251 319 963 648;
  • 35) 0.999 999 940 395 251 319 963 648 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 880 790 502 639 927 296;
  • 36) 0.999 999 880 790 502 639 927 296 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 761 581 005 279 854 592;
  • 37) 0.999 999 761 581 005 279 854 592 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 523 162 010 559 709 184;
  • 38) 0.999 999 523 162 010 559 709 184 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 046 324 021 119 418 368;
  • 39) 0.999 999 046 324 021 119 418 368 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 998 092 648 042 238 836 736;
  • 40) 0.999 998 092 648 042 238 836 736 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 996 185 296 084 477 673 472;
  • 41) 0.999 996 185 296 084 477 673 472 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 992 370 592 168 955 346 944;
  • 42) 0.999 992 370 592 168 955 346 944 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 984 741 184 337 910 693 888;
  • 43) 0.999 984 741 184 337 910 693 888 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 969 482 368 675 821 387 776;
  • 44) 0.999 969 482 368 675 821 387 776 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 938 964 737 351 642 775 552;
  • 45) 0.999 938 964 737 351 642 775 552 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 877 929 474 703 285 551 104;
  • 46) 0.999 877 929 474 703 285 551 104 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 755 858 949 406 571 102 208;
  • 47) 0.999 755 858 949 406 571 102 208 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 511 717 898 813 142 204 416;
  • 48) 0.999 511 717 898 813 142 204 416 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 023 435 797 626 284 408 832;
  • 49) 0.999 023 435 797 626 284 408 832 × 2 = 1 + 0.998 046 871 595 252 568 817 664;
  • 50) 0.998 046 871 595 252 568 817 664 × 2 = 1 + 0.996 093 743 190 505 137 635 328;
  • 51) 0.996 093 743 190 505 137 635 328 × 2 = 1 + 0.992 187 486 381 010 275 270 656;
  • 52) 0.992 187 486 381 010 275 270 656 × 2 = 1 + 0.984 374 972 762 020 550 541 312;
  • 53) 0.984 374 972 762 020 550 541 312 × 2 = 1 + 0.968 749 945 524 041 101 082 624;
  • 54) 0.968 749 945 524 041 101 082 624 × 2 = 1 + 0.937 499 891 048 082 202 165 248;
  • 55) 0.937 499 891 048 082 202 165 248 × 2 = 1 + 0.874 999 782 096 164 404 330 496;
  • 56) 0.874 999 782 096 164 404 330 496 × 2 = 1 + 0.749 999 564 192 328 808 660 992;
  • 57) 0.749 999 564 192 328 808 660 992 × 2 = 1 + 0.499 999 128 384 657 617 321 984;
  • 58) 0.499 999 128 384 657 617 321 984 × 2 = 0 + 0.999 998 256 769 315 234 643 968;

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:


0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 547(10) =


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

6. Positive number before normalization:

0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 547(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:


0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 547(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 -0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 547 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