-0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 553 117 Converted to 64 Bit Double Precision IEEE 754 Binary Floating Point Representation Standard

Convert decimal -0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 553 117(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
-0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 553 117(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:

|-0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 553 117| = 0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 553 117


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: 0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 553 117.

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) 0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 553 117 × 2 = 0 + 0.033 477 783 203 124 993 061 106 234;
  • 2) 0.033 477 783 203 124 993 061 106 234 × 2 = 0 + 0.066 955 566 406 249 986 122 212 468;
  • 3) 0.066 955 566 406 249 986 122 212 468 × 2 = 0 + 0.133 911 132 812 499 972 244 424 936;
  • 4) 0.133 911 132 812 499 972 244 424 936 × 2 = 0 + 0.267 822 265 624 999 944 488 849 872;
  • 5) 0.267 822 265 624 999 944 488 849 872 × 2 = 0 + 0.535 644 531 249 999 888 977 699 744;
  • 6) 0.535 644 531 249 999 888 977 699 744 × 2 = 1 + 0.071 289 062 499 999 777 955 399 488;
  • 7) 0.071 289 062 499 999 777 955 399 488 × 2 = 0 + 0.142 578 124 999 999 555 910 798 976;
  • 8) 0.142 578 124 999 999 555 910 798 976 × 2 = 0 + 0.285 156 249 999 999 111 821 597 952;
  • 9) 0.285 156 249 999 999 111 821 597 952 × 2 = 0 + 0.570 312 499 999 998 223 643 195 904;
  • 10) 0.570 312 499 999 998 223 643 195 904 × 2 = 1 + 0.140 624 999 999 996 447 286 391 808;
  • 11) 0.140 624 999 999 996 447 286 391 808 × 2 = 0 + 0.281 249 999 999 992 894 572 783 616;
  • 12) 0.281 249 999 999 992 894 572 783 616 × 2 = 0 + 0.562 499 999 999 985 789 145 567 232;
  • 13) 0.562 499 999 999 985 789 145 567 232 × 2 = 1 + 0.124 999 999 999 971 578 291 134 464;
  • 14) 0.124 999 999 999 971 578 291 134 464 × 2 = 0 + 0.249 999 999 999 943 156 582 268 928;
  • 15) 0.249 999 999 999 943 156 582 268 928 × 2 = 0 + 0.499 999 999 999 886 313 164 537 856;
  • 16) 0.499 999 999 999 886 313 164 537 856 × 2 = 0 + 0.999 999 999 999 772 626 329 075 712;
  • 17) 0.999 999 999 999 772 626 329 075 712 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 999 545 252 658 151 424;
  • 18) 0.999 999 999 999 545 252 658 151 424 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 999 090 505 316 302 848;
  • 19) 0.999 999 999 999 090 505 316 302 848 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 998 181 010 632 605 696;
  • 20) 0.999 999 999 998 181 010 632 605 696 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 996 362 021 265 211 392;
  • 21) 0.999 999 999 996 362 021 265 211 392 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 992 724 042 530 422 784;
  • 22) 0.999 999 999 992 724 042 530 422 784 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 985 448 085 060 845 568;
  • 23) 0.999 999 999 985 448 085 060 845 568 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 970 896 170 121 691 136;
  • 24) 0.999 999 999 970 896 170 121 691 136 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 941 792 340 243 382 272;
  • 25) 0.999 999 999 941 792 340 243 382 272 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 883 584 680 486 764 544;
  • 26) 0.999 999 999 883 584 680 486 764 544 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 767 169 360 973 529 088;
  • 27) 0.999 999 999 767 169 360 973 529 088 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 534 338 721 947 058 176;
  • 28) 0.999 999 999 534 338 721 947 058 176 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 068 677 443 894 116 352;
  • 29) 0.999 999 999 068 677 443 894 116 352 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 998 137 354 887 788 232 704;
  • 30) 0.999 999 998 137 354 887 788 232 704 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 996 274 709 775 576 465 408;
  • 31) 0.999 999 996 274 709 775 576 465 408 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 992 549 419 551 152 930 816;
  • 32) 0.999 999 992 549 419 551 152 930 816 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 985 098 839 102 305 861 632;
  • 33) 0.999 999 985 098 839 102 305 861 632 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 970 197 678 204 611 723 264;
  • 34) 0.999 999 970 197 678 204 611 723 264 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 940 395 356 409 223 446 528;
  • 35) 0.999 999 940 395 356 409 223 446 528 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 880 790 712 818 446 893 056;
  • 36) 0.999 999 880 790 712 818 446 893 056 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 761 581 425 636 893 786 112;
  • 37) 0.999 999 761 581 425 636 893 786 112 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 523 162 851 273 787 572 224;
  • 38) 0.999 999 523 162 851 273 787 572 224 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 046 325 702 547 575 144 448;
  • 39) 0.999 999 046 325 702 547 575 144 448 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 998 092 651 405 095 150 288 896;
  • 40) 0.999 998 092 651 405 095 150 288 896 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 996 185 302 810 190 300 577 792;
  • 41) 0.999 996 185 302 810 190 300 577 792 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 992 370 605 620 380 601 155 584;
  • 42) 0.999 992 370 605 620 380 601 155 584 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 984 741 211 240 761 202 311 168;
  • 43) 0.999 984 741 211 240 761 202 311 168 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 969 482 422 481 522 404 622 336;
  • 44) 0.999 969 482 422 481 522 404 622 336 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 938 964 844 963 044 809 244 672;
  • 45) 0.999 938 964 844 963 044 809 244 672 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 877 929 689 926 089 618 489 344;
  • 46) 0.999 877 929 689 926 089 618 489 344 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 755 859 379 852 179 236 978 688;
  • 47) 0.999 755 859 379 852 179 236 978 688 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 511 718 759 704 358 473 957 376;
  • 48) 0.999 511 718 759 704 358 473 957 376 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 023 437 519 408 716 947 914 752;
  • 49) 0.999 023 437 519 408 716 947 914 752 × 2 = 1 + 0.998 046 875 038 817 433 895 829 504;
  • 50) 0.998 046 875 038 817 433 895 829 504 × 2 = 1 + 0.996 093 750 077 634 867 791 659 008;
  • 51) 0.996 093 750 077 634 867 791 659 008 × 2 = 1 + 0.992 187 500 155 269 735 583 318 016;
  • 52) 0.992 187 500 155 269 735 583 318 016 × 2 = 1 + 0.984 375 000 310 539 471 166 636 032;
  • 53) 0.984 375 000 310 539 471 166 636 032 × 2 = 1 + 0.968 750 000 621 078 942 333 272 064;
  • 54) 0.968 750 000 621 078 942 333 272 064 × 2 = 1 + 0.937 500 001 242 157 884 666 544 128;
  • 55) 0.937 500 001 242 157 884 666 544 128 × 2 = 1 + 0.875 000 002 484 315 769 333 088 256;
  • 56) 0.875 000 002 484 315 769 333 088 256 × 2 = 1 + 0.750 000 004 968 631 538 666 176 512;
  • 57) 0.750 000 004 968 631 538 666 176 512 × 2 = 1 + 0.500 000 009 937 263 077 332 353 024;
  • 58) 0.500 000 009 937 263 077 332 353 024 × 2 = 1 + 0.000 000 019 874 526 154 664 706 048;

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:


0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 553 117(10) =


0.0000 0100 0100 1000 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 11(2)

6. Positive number before normalization:

0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 553 117(10) =


0.0000 0100 0100 1000 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 11(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:


0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 553 117(10) =


0.0000 0100 0100 1000 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 11(2) =


0.0000 0100 0100 1000 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 11(2) × 20 =


1.0001 0010 0011 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111(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 1111


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 1111 =


0001 0010 0011 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111


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 1111


Decimal number -0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 553 117 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 1111


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