-0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 681 Converted to 64 Bit Double Precision IEEE 754 Binary Floating Point Representation Standard

Convert decimal -0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 681(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
-0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 681(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:

|-0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 681| = 0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 681


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: 0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 681.

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) 0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 681 × 2 = 0 + 0.033 477 783 203 124 993 061 362;
  • 2) 0.033 477 783 203 124 993 061 362 × 2 = 0 + 0.066 955 566 406 249 986 122 724;
  • 3) 0.066 955 566 406 249 986 122 724 × 2 = 0 + 0.133 911 132 812 499 972 245 448;
  • 4) 0.133 911 132 812 499 972 245 448 × 2 = 0 + 0.267 822 265 624 999 944 490 896;
  • 5) 0.267 822 265 624 999 944 490 896 × 2 = 0 + 0.535 644 531 249 999 888 981 792;
  • 6) 0.535 644 531 249 999 888 981 792 × 2 = 1 + 0.071 289 062 499 999 777 963 584;
  • 7) 0.071 289 062 499 999 777 963 584 × 2 = 0 + 0.142 578 124 999 999 555 927 168;
  • 8) 0.142 578 124 999 999 555 927 168 × 2 = 0 + 0.285 156 249 999 999 111 854 336;
  • 9) 0.285 156 249 999 999 111 854 336 × 2 = 0 + 0.570 312 499 999 998 223 708 672;
  • 10) 0.570 312 499 999 998 223 708 672 × 2 = 1 + 0.140 624 999 999 996 447 417 344;
  • 11) 0.140 624 999 999 996 447 417 344 × 2 = 0 + 0.281 249 999 999 992 894 834 688;
  • 12) 0.281 249 999 999 992 894 834 688 × 2 = 0 + 0.562 499 999 999 985 789 669 376;
  • 13) 0.562 499 999 999 985 789 669 376 × 2 = 1 + 0.124 999 999 999 971 579 338 752;
  • 14) 0.124 999 999 999 971 579 338 752 × 2 = 0 + 0.249 999 999 999 943 158 677 504;
  • 15) 0.249 999 999 999 943 158 677 504 × 2 = 0 + 0.499 999 999 999 886 317 355 008;
  • 16) 0.499 999 999 999 886 317 355 008 × 2 = 0 + 0.999 999 999 999 772 634 710 016;
  • 17) 0.999 999 999 999 772 634 710 016 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 999 545 269 420 032;
  • 18) 0.999 999 999 999 545 269 420 032 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 999 090 538 840 064;
  • 19) 0.999 999 999 999 090 538 840 064 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 998 181 077 680 128;
  • 20) 0.999 999 999 998 181 077 680 128 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 996 362 155 360 256;
  • 21) 0.999 999 999 996 362 155 360 256 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 992 724 310 720 512;
  • 22) 0.999 999 999 992 724 310 720 512 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 985 448 621 441 024;
  • 23) 0.999 999 999 985 448 621 441 024 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 970 897 242 882 048;
  • 24) 0.999 999 999 970 897 242 882 048 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 941 794 485 764 096;
  • 25) 0.999 999 999 941 794 485 764 096 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 883 588 971 528 192;
  • 26) 0.999 999 999 883 588 971 528 192 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 767 177 943 056 384;
  • 27) 0.999 999 999 767 177 943 056 384 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 534 355 886 112 768;
  • 28) 0.999 999 999 534 355 886 112 768 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 068 711 772 225 536;
  • 29) 0.999 999 999 068 711 772 225 536 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 998 137 423 544 451 072;
  • 30) 0.999 999 998 137 423 544 451 072 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 996 274 847 088 902 144;
  • 31) 0.999 999 996 274 847 088 902 144 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 992 549 694 177 804 288;
  • 32) 0.999 999 992 549 694 177 804 288 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 985 099 388 355 608 576;
  • 33) 0.999 999 985 099 388 355 608 576 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 970 198 776 711 217 152;
  • 34) 0.999 999 970 198 776 711 217 152 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 940 397 553 422 434 304;
  • 35) 0.999 999 940 397 553 422 434 304 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 880 795 106 844 868 608;
  • 36) 0.999 999 880 795 106 844 868 608 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 761 590 213 689 737 216;
  • 37) 0.999 999 761 590 213 689 737 216 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 523 180 427 379 474 432;
  • 38) 0.999 999 523 180 427 379 474 432 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 046 360 854 758 948 864;
  • 39) 0.999 999 046 360 854 758 948 864 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 998 092 721 709 517 897 728;
  • 40) 0.999 998 092 721 709 517 897 728 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 996 185 443 419 035 795 456;
  • 41) 0.999 996 185 443 419 035 795 456 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 992 370 886 838 071 590 912;
  • 42) 0.999 992 370 886 838 071 590 912 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 984 741 773 676 143 181 824;
  • 43) 0.999 984 741 773 676 143 181 824 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 969 483 547 352 286 363 648;
  • 44) 0.999 969 483 547 352 286 363 648 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 938 967 094 704 572 727 296;
  • 45) 0.999 938 967 094 704 572 727 296 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 877 934 189 409 145 454 592;
  • 46) 0.999 877 934 189 409 145 454 592 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 755 868 378 818 290 909 184;
  • 47) 0.999 755 868 378 818 290 909 184 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 511 736 757 636 581 818 368;
  • 48) 0.999 511 736 757 636 581 818 368 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 023 473 515 273 163 636 736;
  • 49) 0.999 023 473 515 273 163 636 736 × 2 = 1 + 0.998 046 947 030 546 327 273 472;
  • 50) 0.998 046 947 030 546 327 273 472 × 2 = 1 + 0.996 093 894 061 092 654 546 944;
  • 51) 0.996 093 894 061 092 654 546 944 × 2 = 1 + 0.992 187 788 122 185 309 093 888;
  • 52) 0.992 187 788 122 185 309 093 888 × 2 = 1 + 0.984 375 576 244 370 618 187 776;
  • 53) 0.984 375 576 244 370 618 187 776 × 2 = 1 + 0.968 751 152 488 741 236 375 552;
  • 54) 0.968 751 152 488 741 236 375 552 × 2 = 1 + 0.937 502 304 977 482 472 751 104;
  • 55) 0.937 502 304 977 482 472 751 104 × 2 = 1 + 0.875 004 609 954 964 945 502 208;
  • 56) 0.875 004 609 954 964 945 502 208 × 2 = 1 + 0.750 009 219 909 929 891 004 416;
  • 57) 0.750 009 219 909 929 891 004 416 × 2 = 1 + 0.500 018 439 819 859 782 008 832;
  • 58) 0.500 018 439 819 859 782 008 832 × 2 = 1 + 0.000 036 879 639 719 564 017 664;

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:


0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 681(10) =


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

6. Positive number before normalization:

0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 681(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:


0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 681(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 -0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 681 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