-0.016 738 891 601 562 496 533 9 Converted to 64 Bit Double Precision IEEE 754 Binary Floating Point Representation Standard

Convert decimal -0.016 738 891 601 562 496 533 9(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
-0.016 738 891 601 562 496 533 9(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:

|-0.016 738 891 601 562 496 533 9| = 0.016 738 891 601 562 496 533 9


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: 0.016 738 891 601 562 496 533 9.

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) 0.016 738 891 601 562 496 533 9 × 2 = 0 + 0.033 477 783 203 124 993 067 8;
  • 2) 0.033 477 783 203 124 993 067 8 × 2 = 0 + 0.066 955 566 406 249 986 135 6;
  • 3) 0.066 955 566 406 249 986 135 6 × 2 = 0 + 0.133 911 132 812 499 972 271 2;
  • 4) 0.133 911 132 812 499 972 271 2 × 2 = 0 + 0.267 822 265 624 999 944 542 4;
  • 5) 0.267 822 265 624 999 944 542 4 × 2 = 0 + 0.535 644 531 249 999 889 084 8;
  • 6) 0.535 644 531 249 999 889 084 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.071 289 062 499 999 778 169 6;
  • 7) 0.071 289 062 499 999 778 169 6 × 2 = 0 + 0.142 578 124 999 999 556 339 2;
  • 8) 0.142 578 124 999 999 556 339 2 × 2 = 0 + 0.285 156 249 999 999 112 678 4;
  • 9) 0.285 156 249 999 999 112 678 4 × 2 = 0 + 0.570 312 499 999 998 225 356 8;
  • 10) 0.570 312 499 999 998 225 356 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.140 624 999 999 996 450 713 6;
  • 11) 0.140 624 999 999 996 450 713 6 × 2 = 0 + 0.281 249 999 999 992 901 427 2;
  • 12) 0.281 249 999 999 992 901 427 2 × 2 = 0 + 0.562 499 999 999 985 802 854 4;
  • 13) 0.562 499 999 999 985 802 854 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.124 999 999 999 971 605 708 8;
  • 14) 0.124 999 999 999 971 605 708 8 × 2 = 0 + 0.249 999 999 999 943 211 417 6;
  • 15) 0.249 999 999 999 943 211 417 6 × 2 = 0 + 0.499 999 999 999 886 422 835 2;
  • 16) 0.499 999 999 999 886 422 835 2 × 2 = 0 + 0.999 999 999 999 772 845 670 4;
  • 17) 0.999 999 999 999 772 845 670 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 999 545 691 340 8;
  • 18) 0.999 999 999 999 545 691 340 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 999 091 382 681 6;
  • 19) 0.999 999 999 999 091 382 681 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 998 182 765 363 2;
  • 20) 0.999 999 999 998 182 765 363 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 996 365 530 726 4;
  • 21) 0.999 999 999 996 365 530 726 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 992 731 061 452 8;
  • 22) 0.999 999 999 992 731 061 452 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 985 462 122 905 6;
  • 23) 0.999 999 999 985 462 122 905 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 970 924 245 811 2;
  • 24) 0.999 999 999 970 924 245 811 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 941 848 491 622 4;
  • 25) 0.999 999 999 941 848 491 622 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 883 696 983 244 8;
  • 26) 0.999 999 999 883 696 983 244 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 767 393 966 489 6;
  • 27) 0.999 999 999 767 393 966 489 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 534 787 932 979 2;
  • 28) 0.999 999 999 534 787 932 979 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 069 575 865 958 4;
  • 29) 0.999 999 999 069 575 865 958 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 998 139 151 731 916 8;
  • 30) 0.999 999 998 139 151 731 916 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 996 278 303 463 833 6;
  • 31) 0.999 999 996 278 303 463 833 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 992 556 606 927 667 2;
  • 32) 0.999 999 992 556 606 927 667 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 985 113 213 855 334 4;
  • 33) 0.999 999 985 113 213 855 334 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 970 226 427 710 668 8;
  • 34) 0.999 999 970 226 427 710 668 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 940 452 855 421 337 6;
  • 35) 0.999 999 940 452 855 421 337 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 880 905 710 842 675 2;
  • 36) 0.999 999 880 905 710 842 675 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 761 811 421 685 350 4;
  • 37) 0.999 999 761 811 421 685 350 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 523 622 843 370 700 8;
  • 38) 0.999 999 523 622 843 370 700 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 047 245 686 741 401 6;
  • 39) 0.999 999 047 245 686 741 401 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 998 094 491 373 482 803 2;
  • 40) 0.999 998 094 491 373 482 803 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 996 188 982 746 965 606 4;
  • 41) 0.999 996 188 982 746 965 606 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 992 377 965 493 931 212 8;
  • 42) 0.999 992 377 965 493 931 212 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 984 755 930 987 862 425 6;
  • 43) 0.999 984 755 930 987 862 425 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 969 511 861 975 724 851 2;
  • 44) 0.999 969 511 861 975 724 851 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 939 023 723 951 449 702 4;
  • 45) 0.999 939 023 723 951 449 702 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 878 047 447 902 899 404 8;
  • 46) 0.999 878 047 447 902 899 404 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 756 094 895 805 798 809 6;
  • 47) 0.999 756 094 895 805 798 809 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 512 189 791 611 597 619 2;
  • 48) 0.999 512 189 791 611 597 619 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 024 379 583 223 195 238 4;
  • 49) 0.999 024 379 583 223 195 238 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.998 048 759 166 446 390 476 8;
  • 50) 0.998 048 759 166 446 390 476 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.996 097 518 332 892 780 953 6;
  • 51) 0.996 097 518 332 892 780 953 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.992 195 036 665 785 561 907 2;
  • 52) 0.992 195 036 665 785 561 907 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.984 390 073 331 571 123 814 4;
  • 53) 0.984 390 073 331 571 123 814 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.968 780 146 663 142 247 628 8;
  • 54) 0.968 780 146 663 142 247 628 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.937 560 293 326 284 495 257 6;
  • 55) 0.937 560 293 326 284 495 257 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.875 120 586 652 568 990 515 2;
  • 56) 0.875 120 586 652 568 990 515 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.750 241 173 305 137 981 030 4;
  • 57) 0.750 241 173 305 137 981 030 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.500 482 346 610 275 962 060 8;
  • 58) 0.500 482 346 610 275 962 060 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.000 964 693 220 551 924 121 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:


0.016 738 891 601 562 496 533 9(10) =


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

6. Positive number before normalization:

0.016 738 891 601 562 496 533 9(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:


0.016 738 891 601 562 496 533 9(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 -0.016 738 891 601 562 496 533 9 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