-0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 55 Converted to 64 Bit Double Precision IEEE 754 Binary Floating Point Representation Standard

Convert decimal -0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 55(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 55(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 55| = 0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 55


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 55.

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 55 × 2 = 0 + 0.033 477 783 203 124 993 061 1;
  • 2) 0.033 477 783 203 124 993 061 1 × 2 = 0 + 0.066 955 566 406 249 986 122 2;
  • 3) 0.066 955 566 406 249 986 122 2 × 2 = 0 + 0.133 911 132 812 499 972 244 4;
  • 4) 0.133 911 132 812 499 972 244 4 × 2 = 0 + 0.267 822 265 624 999 944 488 8;
  • 5) 0.267 822 265 624 999 944 488 8 × 2 = 0 + 0.535 644 531 249 999 888 977 6;
  • 6) 0.535 644 531 249 999 888 977 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.071 289 062 499 999 777 955 2;
  • 7) 0.071 289 062 499 999 777 955 2 × 2 = 0 + 0.142 578 124 999 999 555 910 4;
  • 8) 0.142 578 124 999 999 555 910 4 × 2 = 0 + 0.285 156 249 999 999 111 820 8;
  • 9) 0.285 156 249 999 999 111 820 8 × 2 = 0 + 0.570 312 499 999 998 223 641 6;
  • 10) 0.570 312 499 999 998 223 641 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.140 624 999 999 996 447 283 2;
  • 11) 0.140 624 999 999 996 447 283 2 × 2 = 0 + 0.281 249 999 999 992 894 566 4;
  • 12) 0.281 249 999 999 992 894 566 4 × 2 = 0 + 0.562 499 999 999 985 789 132 8;
  • 13) 0.562 499 999 999 985 789 132 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.124 999 999 999 971 578 265 6;
  • 14) 0.124 999 999 999 971 578 265 6 × 2 = 0 + 0.249 999 999 999 943 156 531 2;
  • 15) 0.249 999 999 999 943 156 531 2 × 2 = 0 + 0.499 999 999 999 886 313 062 4;
  • 16) 0.499 999 999 999 886 313 062 4 × 2 = 0 + 0.999 999 999 999 772 626 124 8;
  • 17) 0.999 999 999 999 772 626 124 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 999 545 252 249 6;
  • 18) 0.999 999 999 999 545 252 249 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 999 090 504 499 2;
  • 19) 0.999 999 999 999 090 504 499 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 998 181 008 998 4;
  • 20) 0.999 999 999 998 181 008 998 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 996 362 017 996 8;
  • 21) 0.999 999 999 996 362 017 996 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 992 724 035 993 6;
  • 22) 0.999 999 999 992 724 035 993 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 985 448 071 987 2;
  • 23) 0.999 999 999 985 448 071 987 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 970 896 143 974 4;
  • 24) 0.999 999 999 970 896 143 974 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 941 792 287 948 8;
  • 25) 0.999 999 999 941 792 287 948 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 883 584 575 897 6;
  • 26) 0.999 999 999 883 584 575 897 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 767 169 151 795 2;
  • 27) 0.999 999 999 767 169 151 795 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 534 338 303 590 4;
  • 28) 0.999 999 999 534 338 303 590 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 068 676 607 180 8;
  • 29) 0.999 999 999 068 676 607 180 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 998 137 353 214 361 6;
  • 30) 0.999 999 998 137 353 214 361 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 996 274 706 428 723 2;
  • 31) 0.999 999 996 274 706 428 723 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 992 549 412 857 446 4;
  • 32) 0.999 999 992 549 412 857 446 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 985 098 825 714 892 8;
  • 33) 0.999 999 985 098 825 714 892 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 970 197 651 429 785 6;
  • 34) 0.999 999 970 197 651 429 785 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 940 395 302 859 571 2;
  • 35) 0.999 999 940 395 302 859 571 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 880 790 605 719 142 4;
  • 36) 0.999 999 880 790 605 719 142 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 761 581 211 438 284 8;
  • 37) 0.999 999 761 581 211 438 284 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 523 162 422 876 569 6;
  • 38) 0.999 999 523 162 422 876 569 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 046 324 845 753 139 2;
  • 39) 0.999 999 046 324 845 753 139 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 998 092 649 691 506 278 4;
  • 40) 0.999 998 092 649 691 506 278 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 996 185 299 383 012 556 8;
  • 41) 0.999 996 185 299 383 012 556 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 992 370 598 766 025 113 6;
  • 42) 0.999 992 370 598 766 025 113 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 984 741 197 532 050 227 2;
  • 43) 0.999 984 741 197 532 050 227 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 969 482 395 064 100 454 4;
  • 44) 0.999 969 482 395 064 100 454 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 938 964 790 128 200 908 8;
  • 45) 0.999 938 964 790 128 200 908 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 877 929 580 256 401 817 6;
  • 46) 0.999 877 929 580 256 401 817 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 755 859 160 512 803 635 2;
  • 47) 0.999 755 859 160 512 803 635 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 511 718 321 025 607 270 4;
  • 48) 0.999 511 718 321 025 607 270 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 023 436 642 051 214 540 8;
  • 49) 0.999 023 436 642 051 214 540 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.998 046 873 284 102 429 081 6;
  • 50) 0.998 046 873 284 102 429 081 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.996 093 746 568 204 858 163 2;
  • 51) 0.996 093 746 568 204 858 163 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.992 187 493 136 409 716 326 4;
  • 52) 0.992 187 493 136 409 716 326 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.984 374 986 272 819 432 652 8;
  • 53) 0.984 374 986 272 819 432 652 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.968 749 972 545 638 865 305 6;
  • 54) 0.968 749 972 545 638 865 305 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.937 499 945 091 277 730 611 2;
  • 55) 0.937 499 945 091 277 730 611 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.874 999 890 182 555 461 222 4;
  • 56) 0.874 999 890 182 555 461 222 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.749 999 780 365 110 922 444 8;
  • 57) 0.749 999 780 365 110 922 444 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.499 999 560 730 221 844 889 6;
  • 58) 0.499 999 560 730 221 844 889 6 × 2 = 0 + 0.999 999 121 460 443 689 779 2;

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 55(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 55(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 55(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 55 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