-0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 551 4 Converted to 64 Bit Double Precision IEEE 754 Binary Floating Point Representation Standard

Convert decimal -0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 551 4(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
-0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 551 4(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:

|-0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 551 4| = 0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 551 4


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: 0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 551 4.

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) 0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 551 4 × 2 = 0 + 0.033 477 783 203 124 993 061 102 8;
  • 2) 0.033 477 783 203 124 993 061 102 8 × 2 = 0 + 0.066 955 566 406 249 986 122 205 6;
  • 3) 0.066 955 566 406 249 986 122 205 6 × 2 = 0 + 0.133 911 132 812 499 972 244 411 2;
  • 4) 0.133 911 132 812 499 972 244 411 2 × 2 = 0 + 0.267 822 265 624 999 944 488 822 4;
  • 5) 0.267 822 265 624 999 944 488 822 4 × 2 = 0 + 0.535 644 531 249 999 888 977 644 8;
  • 6) 0.535 644 531 249 999 888 977 644 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.071 289 062 499 999 777 955 289 6;
  • 7) 0.071 289 062 499 999 777 955 289 6 × 2 = 0 + 0.142 578 124 999 999 555 910 579 2;
  • 8) 0.142 578 124 999 999 555 910 579 2 × 2 = 0 + 0.285 156 249 999 999 111 821 158 4;
  • 9) 0.285 156 249 999 999 111 821 158 4 × 2 = 0 + 0.570 312 499 999 998 223 642 316 8;
  • 10) 0.570 312 499 999 998 223 642 316 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.140 624 999 999 996 447 284 633 6;
  • 11) 0.140 624 999 999 996 447 284 633 6 × 2 = 0 + 0.281 249 999 999 992 894 569 267 2;
  • 12) 0.281 249 999 999 992 894 569 267 2 × 2 = 0 + 0.562 499 999 999 985 789 138 534 4;
  • 13) 0.562 499 999 999 985 789 138 534 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.124 999 999 999 971 578 277 068 8;
  • 14) 0.124 999 999 999 971 578 277 068 8 × 2 = 0 + 0.249 999 999 999 943 156 554 137 6;
  • 15) 0.249 999 999 999 943 156 554 137 6 × 2 = 0 + 0.499 999 999 999 886 313 108 275 2;
  • 16) 0.499 999 999 999 886 313 108 275 2 × 2 = 0 + 0.999 999 999 999 772 626 216 550 4;
  • 17) 0.999 999 999 999 772 626 216 550 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 999 545 252 433 100 8;
  • 18) 0.999 999 999 999 545 252 433 100 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 999 090 504 866 201 6;
  • 19) 0.999 999 999 999 090 504 866 201 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 998 181 009 732 403 2;
  • 20) 0.999 999 999 998 181 009 732 403 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 996 362 019 464 806 4;
  • 21) 0.999 999 999 996 362 019 464 806 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 992 724 038 929 612 8;
  • 22) 0.999 999 999 992 724 038 929 612 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 985 448 077 859 225 6;
  • 23) 0.999 999 999 985 448 077 859 225 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 970 896 155 718 451 2;
  • 24) 0.999 999 999 970 896 155 718 451 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 941 792 311 436 902 4;
  • 25) 0.999 999 999 941 792 311 436 902 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 883 584 622 873 804 8;
  • 26) 0.999 999 999 883 584 622 873 804 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 767 169 245 747 609 6;
  • 27) 0.999 999 999 767 169 245 747 609 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 534 338 491 495 219 2;
  • 28) 0.999 999 999 534 338 491 495 219 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 068 676 982 990 438 4;
  • 29) 0.999 999 999 068 676 982 990 438 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 998 137 353 965 980 876 8;
  • 30) 0.999 999 998 137 353 965 980 876 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 996 274 707 931 961 753 6;
  • 31) 0.999 999 996 274 707 931 961 753 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 992 549 415 863 923 507 2;
  • 32) 0.999 999 992 549 415 863 923 507 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 985 098 831 727 847 014 4;
  • 33) 0.999 999 985 098 831 727 847 014 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 970 197 663 455 694 028 8;
  • 34) 0.999 999 970 197 663 455 694 028 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 940 395 326 911 388 057 6;
  • 35) 0.999 999 940 395 326 911 388 057 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 880 790 653 822 776 115 2;
  • 36) 0.999 999 880 790 653 822 776 115 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 761 581 307 645 552 230 4;
  • 37) 0.999 999 761 581 307 645 552 230 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 523 162 615 291 104 460 8;
  • 38) 0.999 999 523 162 615 291 104 460 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 046 325 230 582 208 921 6;
  • 39) 0.999 999 046 325 230 582 208 921 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 998 092 650 461 164 417 843 2;
  • 40) 0.999 998 092 650 461 164 417 843 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 996 185 300 922 328 835 686 4;
  • 41) 0.999 996 185 300 922 328 835 686 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 992 370 601 844 657 671 372 8;
  • 42) 0.999 992 370 601 844 657 671 372 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 984 741 203 689 315 342 745 6;
  • 43) 0.999 984 741 203 689 315 342 745 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 969 482 407 378 630 685 491 2;
  • 44) 0.999 969 482 407 378 630 685 491 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 938 964 814 757 261 370 982 4;
  • 45) 0.999 938 964 814 757 261 370 982 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 877 929 629 514 522 741 964 8;
  • 46) 0.999 877 929 629 514 522 741 964 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 755 859 259 029 045 483 929 6;
  • 47) 0.999 755 859 259 029 045 483 929 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 511 718 518 058 090 967 859 2;
  • 48) 0.999 511 718 518 058 090 967 859 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 023 437 036 116 181 935 718 4;
  • 49) 0.999 023 437 036 116 181 935 718 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.998 046 874 072 232 363 871 436 8;
  • 50) 0.998 046 874 072 232 363 871 436 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.996 093 748 144 464 727 742 873 6;
  • 51) 0.996 093 748 144 464 727 742 873 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.992 187 496 288 929 455 485 747 2;
  • 52) 0.992 187 496 288 929 455 485 747 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.984 374 992 577 858 910 971 494 4;
  • 53) 0.984 374 992 577 858 910 971 494 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.968 749 985 155 717 821 942 988 8;
  • 54) 0.968 749 985 155 717 821 942 988 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.937 499 970 311 435 643 885 977 6;
  • 55) 0.937 499 970 311 435 643 885 977 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.874 999 940 622 871 287 771 955 2;
  • 56) 0.874 999 940 622 871 287 771 955 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.749 999 881 245 742 575 543 910 4;
  • 57) 0.749 999 881 245 742 575 543 910 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.499 999 762 491 485 151 087 820 8;
  • 58) 0.499 999 762 491 485 151 087 820 8 × 2 = 0 + 0.999 999 524 982 970 302 175 641 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:


0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 551 4(10) =


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

6. Positive number before normalization:

0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 551 4(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:


0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 551 4(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 -0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 551 4 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