-0.016 738 891 601 562 496 563 3 Converted to 64 Bit Double Precision IEEE 754 Binary Floating Point Representation Standard

Convert decimal -0.016 738 891 601 562 496 563 3(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
-0.016 738 891 601 562 496 563 3(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:

|-0.016 738 891 601 562 496 563 3| = 0.016 738 891 601 562 496 563 3


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: 0.016 738 891 601 562 496 563 3.

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) 0.016 738 891 601 562 496 563 3 × 2 = 0 + 0.033 477 783 203 124 993 126 6;
  • 2) 0.033 477 783 203 124 993 126 6 × 2 = 0 + 0.066 955 566 406 249 986 253 2;
  • 3) 0.066 955 566 406 249 986 253 2 × 2 = 0 + 0.133 911 132 812 499 972 506 4;
  • 4) 0.133 911 132 812 499 972 506 4 × 2 = 0 + 0.267 822 265 624 999 945 012 8;
  • 5) 0.267 822 265 624 999 945 012 8 × 2 = 0 + 0.535 644 531 249 999 890 025 6;
  • 6) 0.535 644 531 249 999 890 025 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.071 289 062 499 999 780 051 2;
  • 7) 0.071 289 062 499 999 780 051 2 × 2 = 0 + 0.142 578 124 999 999 560 102 4;
  • 8) 0.142 578 124 999 999 560 102 4 × 2 = 0 + 0.285 156 249 999 999 120 204 8;
  • 9) 0.285 156 249 999 999 120 204 8 × 2 = 0 + 0.570 312 499 999 998 240 409 6;
  • 10) 0.570 312 499 999 998 240 409 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.140 624 999 999 996 480 819 2;
  • 11) 0.140 624 999 999 996 480 819 2 × 2 = 0 + 0.281 249 999 999 992 961 638 4;
  • 12) 0.281 249 999 999 992 961 638 4 × 2 = 0 + 0.562 499 999 999 985 923 276 8;
  • 13) 0.562 499 999 999 985 923 276 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.124 999 999 999 971 846 553 6;
  • 14) 0.124 999 999 999 971 846 553 6 × 2 = 0 + 0.249 999 999 999 943 693 107 2;
  • 15) 0.249 999 999 999 943 693 107 2 × 2 = 0 + 0.499 999 999 999 887 386 214 4;
  • 16) 0.499 999 999 999 887 386 214 4 × 2 = 0 + 0.999 999 999 999 774 772 428 8;
  • 17) 0.999 999 999 999 774 772 428 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 999 549 544 857 6;
  • 18) 0.999 999 999 999 549 544 857 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 999 099 089 715 2;
  • 19) 0.999 999 999 999 099 089 715 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 998 198 179 430 4;
  • 20) 0.999 999 999 998 198 179 430 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 996 396 358 860 8;
  • 21) 0.999 999 999 996 396 358 860 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 992 792 717 721 6;
  • 22) 0.999 999 999 992 792 717 721 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 985 585 435 443 2;
  • 23) 0.999 999 999 985 585 435 443 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 971 170 870 886 4;
  • 24) 0.999 999 999 971 170 870 886 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 942 341 741 772 8;
  • 25) 0.999 999 999 942 341 741 772 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 884 683 483 545 6;
  • 26) 0.999 999 999 884 683 483 545 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 769 366 967 091 2;
  • 27) 0.999 999 999 769 366 967 091 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 538 733 934 182 4;
  • 28) 0.999 999 999 538 733 934 182 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 077 467 868 364 8;
  • 29) 0.999 999 999 077 467 868 364 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 998 154 935 736 729 6;
  • 30) 0.999 999 998 154 935 736 729 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 996 309 871 473 459 2;
  • 31) 0.999 999 996 309 871 473 459 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 992 619 742 946 918 4;
  • 32) 0.999 999 992 619 742 946 918 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 985 239 485 893 836 8;
  • 33) 0.999 999 985 239 485 893 836 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 970 478 971 787 673 6;
  • 34) 0.999 999 970 478 971 787 673 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 940 957 943 575 347 2;
  • 35) 0.999 999 940 957 943 575 347 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 881 915 887 150 694 4;
  • 36) 0.999 999 881 915 887 150 694 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 763 831 774 301 388 8;
  • 37) 0.999 999 763 831 774 301 388 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 527 663 548 602 777 6;
  • 38) 0.999 999 527 663 548 602 777 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 055 327 097 205 555 2;
  • 39) 0.999 999 055 327 097 205 555 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 998 110 654 194 411 110 4;
  • 40) 0.999 998 110 654 194 411 110 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 996 221 308 388 822 220 8;
  • 41) 0.999 996 221 308 388 822 220 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 992 442 616 777 644 441 6;
  • 42) 0.999 992 442 616 777 644 441 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 984 885 233 555 288 883 2;
  • 43) 0.999 984 885 233 555 288 883 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 969 770 467 110 577 766 4;
  • 44) 0.999 969 770 467 110 577 766 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 939 540 934 221 155 532 8;
  • 45) 0.999 939 540 934 221 155 532 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 879 081 868 442 311 065 6;
  • 46) 0.999 879 081 868 442 311 065 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 758 163 736 884 622 131 2;
  • 47) 0.999 758 163 736 884 622 131 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 516 327 473 769 244 262 4;
  • 48) 0.999 516 327 473 769 244 262 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 032 654 947 538 488 524 8;
  • 49) 0.999 032 654 947 538 488 524 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.998 065 309 895 076 977 049 6;
  • 50) 0.998 065 309 895 076 977 049 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.996 130 619 790 153 954 099 2;
  • 51) 0.996 130 619 790 153 954 099 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.992 261 239 580 307 908 198 4;
  • 52) 0.992 261 239 580 307 908 198 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.984 522 479 160 615 816 396 8;
  • 53) 0.984 522 479 160 615 816 396 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.969 044 958 321 231 632 793 6;
  • 54) 0.969 044 958 321 231 632 793 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.938 089 916 642 463 265 587 2;
  • 55) 0.938 089 916 642 463 265 587 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.876 179 833 284 926 531 174 4;
  • 56) 0.876 179 833 284 926 531 174 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.752 359 666 569 853 062 348 8;
  • 57) 0.752 359 666 569 853 062 348 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.504 719 333 139 706 124 697 6;
  • 58) 0.504 719 333 139 706 124 697 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.009 438 666 279 412 249 395 2;

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:


0.016 738 891 601 562 496 563 3(10) =


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

6. Positive number before normalization:

0.016 738 891 601 562 496 563 3(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:


0.016 738 891 601 562 496 563 3(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 -0.016 738 891 601 562 496 563 3 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