-0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 76 Converted to 64 Bit Double Precision IEEE 754 Binary Floating Point Representation Standard

Convert decimal -0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 76(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 76(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 76| = 0.016 738 891 601 562 496 530 76


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 76.

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 76 × 2 = 0 + 0.033 477 783 203 124 993 061 52;
  • 2) 0.033 477 783 203 124 993 061 52 × 2 = 0 + 0.066 955 566 406 249 986 123 04;
  • 3) 0.066 955 566 406 249 986 123 04 × 2 = 0 + 0.133 911 132 812 499 972 246 08;
  • 4) 0.133 911 132 812 499 972 246 08 × 2 = 0 + 0.267 822 265 624 999 944 492 16;
  • 5) 0.267 822 265 624 999 944 492 16 × 2 = 0 + 0.535 644 531 249 999 888 984 32;
  • 6) 0.535 644 531 249 999 888 984 32 × 2 = 1 + 0.071 289 062 499 999 777 968 64;
  • 7) 0.071 289 062 499 999 777 968 64 × 2 = 0 + 0.142 578 124 999 999 555 937 28;
  • 8) 0.142 578 124 999 999 555 937 28 × 2 = 0 + 0.285 156 249 999 999 111 874 56;
  • 9) 0.285 156 249 999 999 111 874 56 × 2 = 0 + 0.570 312 499 999 998 223 749 12;
  • 10) 0.570 312 499 999 998 223 749 12 × 2 = 1 + 0.140 624 999 999 996 447 498 24;
  • 11) 0.140 624 999 999 996 447 498 24 × 2 = 0 + 0.281 249 999 999 992 894 996 48;
  • 12) 0.281 249 999 999 992 894 996 48 × 2 = 0 + 0.562 499 999 999 985 789 992 96;
  • 13) 0.562 499 999 999 985 789 992 96 × 2 = 1 + 0.124 999 999 999 971 579 985 92;
  • 14) 0.124 999 999 999 971 579 985 92 × 2 = 0 + 0.249 999 999 999 943 159 971 84;
  • 15) 0.249 999 999 999 943 159 971 84 × 2 = 0 + 0.499 999 999 999 886 319 943 68;
  • 16) 0.499 999 999 999 886 319 943 68 × 2 = 0 + 0.999 999 999 999 772 639 887 36;
  • 17) 0.999 999 999 999 772 639 887 36 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 999 545 279 774 72;
  • 18) 0.999 999 999 999 545 279 774 72 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 999 090 559 549 44;
  • 19) 0.999 999 999 999 090 559 549 44 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 998 181 119 098 88;
  • 20) 0.999 999 999 998 181 119 098 88 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 996 362 238 197 76;
  • 21) 0.999 999 999 996 362 238 197 76 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 992 724 476 395 52;
  • 22) 0.999 999 999 992 724 476 395 52 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 985 448 952 791 04;
  • 23) 0.999 999 999 985 448 952 791 04 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 970 897 905 582 08;
  • 24) 0.999 999 999 970 897 905 582 08 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 941 795 811 164 16;
  • 25) 0.999 999 999 941 795 811 164 16 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 883 591 622 328 32;
  • 26) 0.999 999 999 883 591 622 328 32 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 767 183 244 656 64;
  • 27) 0.999 999 999 767 183 244 656 64 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 534 366 489 313 28;
  • 28) 0.999 999 999 534 366 489 313 28 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 068 732 978 626 56;
  • 29) 0.999 999 999 068 732 978 626 56 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 998 137 465 957 253 12;
  • 30) 0.999 999 998 137 465 957 253 12 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 996 274 931 914 506 24;
  • 31) 0.999 999 996 274 931 914 506 24 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 992 549 863 829 012 48;
  • 32) 0.999 999 992 549 863 829 012 48 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 985 099 727 658 024 96;
  • 33) 0.999 999 985 099 727 658 024 96 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 970 199 455 316 049 92;
  • 34) 0.999 999 970 199 455 316 049 92 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 940 398 910 632 099 84;
  • 35) 0.999 999 940 398 910 632 099 84 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 880 797 821 264 199 68;
  • 36) 0.999 999 880 797 821 264 199 68 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 761 595 642 528 399 36;
  • 37) 0.999 999 761 595 642 528 399 36 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 523 191 285 056 798 72;
  • 38) 0.999 999 523 191 285 056 798 72 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 046 382 570 113 597 44;
  • 39) 0.999 999 046 382 570 113 597 44 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 998 092 765 140 227 194 88;
  • 40) 0.999 998 092 765 140 227 194 88 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 996 185 530 280 454 389 76;
  • 41) 0.999 996 185 530 280 454 389 76 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 992 371 060 560 908 779 52;
  • 42) 0.999 992 371 060 560 908 779 52 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 984 742 121 121 817 559 04;
  • 43) 0.999 984 742 121 121 817 559 04 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 969 484 242 243 635 118 08;
  • 44) 0.999 969 484 242 243 635 118 08 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 938 968 484 487 270 236 16;
  • 45) 0.999 938 968 484 487 270 236 16 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 877 936 968 974 540 472 32;
  • 46) 0.999 877 936 968 974 540 472 32 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 755 873 937 949 080 944 64;
  • 47) 0.999 755 873 937 949 080 944 64 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 511 747 875 898 161 889 28;
  • 48) 0.999 511 747 875 898 161 889 28 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 023 495 751 796 323 778 56;
  • 49) 0.999 023 495 751 796 323 778 56 × 2 = 1 + 0.998 046 991 503 592 647 557 12;
  • 50) 0.998 046 991 503 592 647 557 12 × 2 = 1 + 0.996 093 983 007 185 295 114 24;
  • 51) 0.996 093 983 007 185 295 114 24 × 2 = 1 + 0.992 187 966 014 370 590 228 48;
  • 52) 0.992 187 966 014 370 590 228 48 × 2 = 1 + 0.984 375 932 028 741 180 456 96;
  • 53) 0.984 375 932 028 741 180 456 96 × 2 = 1 + 0.968 751 864 057 482 360 913 92;
  • 54) 0.968 751 864 057 482 360 913 92 × 2 = 1 + 0.937 503 728 114 964 721 827 84;
  • 55) 0.937 503 728 114 964 721 827 84 × 2 = 1 + 0.875 007 456 229 929 443 655 68;
  • 56) 0.875 007 456 229 929 443 655 68 × 2 = 1 + 0.750 014 912 459 858 887 311 36;
  • 57) 0.750 014 912 459 858 887 311 36 × 2 = 1 + 0.500 029 824 919 717 774 622 72;
  • 58) 0.500 029 824 919 717 774 622 72 × 2 = 1 + 0.000 059 649 839 435 549 245 44;

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 76(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 76(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 76(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 76 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