-0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 554 52 Converted to 64 Bit Double Precision IEEE 754 Binary Floating Point Representation Standard

Convert decimal -0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 554 52(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
-0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 554 52(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:

|-0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 554 52| = 0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 554 52


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: 0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 554 52.

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) 0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 554 52 × 2 = 0 + 0.033 477 783 203 124 993 061 109 04;
  • 2) 0.033 477 783 203 124 993 061 109 04 × 2 = 0 + 0.066 955 566 406 249 986 122 218 08;
  • 3) 0.066 955 566 406 249 986 122 218 08 × 2 = 0 + 0.133 911 132 812 499 972 244 436 16;
  • 4) 0.133 911 132 812 499 972 244 436 16 × 2 = 0 + 0.267 822 265 624 999 944 488 872 32;
  • 5) 0.267 822 265 624 999 944 488 872 32 × 2 = 0 + 0.535 644 531 249 999 888 977 744 64;
  • 6) 0.535 644 531 249 999 888 977 744 64 × 2 = 1 + 0.071 289 062 499 999 777 955 489 28;
  • 7) 0.071 289 062 499 999 777 955 489 28 × 2 = 0 + 0.142 578 124 999 999 555 910 978 56;
  • 8) 0.142 578 124 999 999 555 910 978 56 × 2 = 0 + 0.285 156 249 999 999 111 821 957 12;
  • 9) 0.285 156 249 999 999 111 821 957 12 × 2 = 0 + 0.570 312 499 999 998 223 643 914 24;
  • 10) 0.570 312 499 999 998 223 643 914 24 × 2 = 1 + 0.140 624 999 999 996 447 287 828 48;
  • 11) 0.140 624 999 999 996 447 287 828 48 × 2 = 0 + 0.281 249 999 999 992 894 575 656 96;
  • 12) 0.281 249 999 999 992 894 575 656 96 × 2 = 0 + 0.562 499 999 999 985 789 151 313 92;
  • 13) 0.562 499 999 999 985 789 151 313 92 × 2 = 1 + 0.124 999 999 999 971 578 302 627 84;
  • 14) 0.124 999 999 999 971 578 302 627 84 × 2 = 0 + 0.249 999 999 999 943 156 605 255 68;
  • 15) 0.249 999 999 999 943 156 605 255 68 × 2 = 0 + 0.499 999 999 999 886 313 210 511 36;
  • 16) 0.499 999 999 999 886 313 210 511 36 × 2 = 0 + 0.999 999 999 999 772 626 421 022 72;
  • 17) 0.999 999 999 999 772 626 421 022 72 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 999 545 252 842 045 44;
  • 18) 0.999 999 999 999 545 252 842 045 44 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 999 090 505 684 090 88;
  • 19) 0.999 999 999 999 090 505 684 090 88 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 998 181 011 368 181 76;
  • 20) 0.999 999 999 998 181 011 368 181 76 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 996 362 022 736 363 52;
  • 21) 0.999 999 999 996 362 022 736 363 52 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 992 724 045 472 727 04;
  • 22) 0.999 999 999 992 724 045 472 727 04 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 985 448 090 945 454 08;
  • 23) 0.999 999 999 985 448 090 945 454 08 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 970 896 181 890 908 16;
  • 24) 0.999 999 999 970 896 181 890 908 16 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 941 792 363 781 816 32;
  • 25) 0.999 999 999 941 792 363 781 816 32 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 883 584 727 563 632 64;
  • 26) 0.999 999 999 883 584 727 563 632 64 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 767 169 455 127 265 28;
  • 27) 0.999 999 999 767 169 455 127 265 28 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 534 338 910 254 530 56;
  • 28) 0.999 999 999 534 338 910 254 530 56 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 068 677 820 509 061 12;
  • 29) 0.999 999 999 068 677 820 509 061 12 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 998 137 355 641 018 122 24;
  • 30) 0.999 999 998 137 355 641 018 122 24 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 996 274 711 282 036 244 48;
  • 31) 0.999 999 996 274 711 282 036 244 48 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 992 549 422 564 072 488 96;
  • 32) 0.999 999 992 549 422 564 072 488 96 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 985 098 845 128 144 977 92;
  • 33) 0.999 999 985 098 845 128 144 977 92 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 970 197 690 256 289 955 84;
  • 34) 0.999 999 970 197 690 256 289 955 84 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 940 395 380 512 579 911 68;
  • 35) 0.999 999 940 395 380 512 579 911 68 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 880 790 761 025 159 823 36;
  • 36) 0.999 999 880 790 761 025 159 823 36 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 761 581 522 050 319 646 72;
  • 37) 0.999 999 761 581 522 050 319 646 72 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 523 163 044 100 639 293 44;
  • 38) 0.999 999 523 163 044 100 639 293 44 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 046 326 088 201 278 586 88;
  • 39) 0.999 999 046 326 088 201 278 586 88 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 998 092 652 176 402 557 173 76;
  • 40) 0.999 998 092 652 176 402 557 173 76 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 996 185 304 352 805 114 347 52;
  • 41) 0.999 996 185 304 352 805 114 347 52 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 992 370 608 705 610 228 695 04;
  • 42) 0.999 992 370 608 705 610 228 695 04 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 984 741 217 411 220 457 390 08;
  • 43) 0.999 984 741 217 411 220 457 390 08 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 969 482 434 822 440 914 780 16;
  • 44) 0.999 969 482 434 822 440 914 780 16 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 938 964 869 644 881 829 560 32;
  • 45) 0.999 938 964 869 644 881 829 560 32 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 877 929 739 289 763 659 120 64;
  • 46) 0.999 877 929 739 289 763 659 120 64 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 755 859 478 579 527 318 241 28;
  • 47) 0.999 755 859 478 579 527 318 241 28 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 511 718 957 159 054 636 482 56;
  • 48) 0.999 511 718 957 159 054 636 482 56 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 023 437 914 318 109 272 965 12;
  • 49) 0.999 023 437 914 318 109 272 965 12 × 2 = 1 + 0.998 046 875 828 636 218 545 930 24;
  • 50) 0.998 046 875 828 636 218 545 930 24 × 2 = 1 + 0.996 093 751 657 272 437 091 860 48;
  • 51) 0.996 093 751 657 272 437 091 860 48 × 2 = 1 + 0.992 187 503 314 544 874 183 720 96;
  • 52) 0.992 187 503 314 544 874 183 720 96 × 2 = 1 + 0.984 375 006 629 089 748 367 441 92;
  • 53) 0.984 375 006 629 089 748 367 441 92 × 2 = 1 + 0.968 750 013 258 179 496 734 883 84;
  • 54) 0.968 750 013 258 179 496 734 883 84 × 2 = 1 + 0.937 500 026 516 358 993 469 767 68;
  • 55) 0.937 500 026 516 358 993 469 767 68 × 2 = 1 + 0.875 000 053 032 717 986 939 535 36;
  • 56) 0.875 000 053 032 717 986 939 535 36 × 2 = 1 + 0.750 000 106 065 435 973 879 070 72;
  • 57) 0.750 000 106 065 435 973 879 070 72 × 2 = 1 + 0.500 000 212 130 871 947 758 141 44;
  • 58) 0.500 000 212 130 871 947 758 141 44 × 2 = 1 + 0.000 000 424 261 743 895 516 282 88;

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:


0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 554 52(10) =


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

6. Positive number before normalization:

0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 554 52(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:


0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 554 52(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 -0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 554 52 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