-0.016 738 891 601 562 496 608 Converted to 64 Bit Double Precision IEEE 754 Binary Floating Point Representation Standard

Convert decimal -0.016 738 891 601 562 496 608(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
-0.016 738 891 601 562 496 608(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:

|-0.016 738 891 601 562 496 608| = 0.016 738 891 601 562 496 608


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: 0.016 738 891 601 562 496 608.

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) 0.016 738 891 601 562 496 608 × 2 = 0 + 0.033 477 783 203 124 993 216;
  • 2) 0.033 477 783 203 124 993 216 × 2 = 0 + 0.066 955 566 406 249 986 432;
  • 3) 0.066 955 566 406 249 986 432 × 2 = 0 + 0.133 911 132 812 499 972 864;
  • 4) 0.133 911 132 812 499 972 864 × 2 = 0 + 0.267 822 265 624 999 945 728;
  • 5) 0.267 822 265 624 999 945 728 × 2 = 0 + 0.535 644 531 249 999 891 456;
  • 6) 0.535 644 531 249 999 891 456 × 2 = 1 + 0.071 289 062 499 999 782 912;
  • 7) 0.071 289 062 499 999 782 912 × 2 = 0 + 0.142 578 124 999 999 565 824;
  • 8) 0.142 578 124 999 999 565 824 × 2 = 0 + 0.285 156 249 999 999 131 648;
  • 9) 0.285 156 249 999 999 131 648 × 2 = 0 + 0.570 312 499 999 998 263 296;
  • 10) 0.570 312 499 999 998 263 296 × 2 = 1 + 0.140 624 999 999 996 526 592;
  • 11) 0.140 624 999 999 996 526 592 × 2 = 0 + 0.281 249 999 999 993 053 184;
  • 12) 0.281 249 999 999 993 053 184 × 2 = 0 + 0.562 499 999 999 986 106 368;
  • 13) 0.562 499 999 999 986 106 368 × 2 = 1 + 0.124 999 999 999 972 212 736;
  • 14) 0.124 999 999 999 972 212 736 × 2 = 0 + 0.249 999 999 999 944 425 472;
  • 15) 0.249 999 999 999 944 425 472 × 2 = 0 + 0.499 999 999 999 888 850 944;
  • 16) 0.499 999 999 999 888 850 944 × 2 = 0 + 0.999 999 999 999 777 701 888;
  • 17) 0.999 999 999 999 777 701 888 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 999 555 403 776;
  • 18) 0.999 999 999 999 555 403 776 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 999 110 807 552;
  • 19) 0.999 999 999 999 110 807 552 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 998 221 615 104;
  • 20) 0.999 999 999 998 221 615 104 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 996 443 230 208;
  • 21) 0.999 999 999 996 443 230 208 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 992 886 460 416;
  • 22) 0.999 999 999 992 886 460 416 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 985 772 920 832;
  • 23) 0.999 999 999 985 772 920 832 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 971 545 841 664;
  • 24) 0.999 999 999 971 545 841 664 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 943 091 683 328;
  • 25) 0.999 999 999 943 091 683 328 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 886 183 366 656;
  • 26) 0.999 999 999 886 183 366 656 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 772 366 733 312;
  • 27) 0.999 999 999 772 366 733 312 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 544 733 466 624;
  • 28) 0.999 999 999 544 733 466 624 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 089 466 933 248;
  • 29) 0.999 999 999 089 466 933 248 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 998 178 933 866 496;
  • 30) 0.999 999 998 178 933 866 496 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 996 357 867 732 992;
  • 31) 0.999 999 996 357 867 732 992 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 992 715 735 465 984;
  • 32) 0.999 999 992 715 735 465 984 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 985 431 470 931 968;
  • 33) 0.999 999 985 431 470 931 968 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 970 862 941 863 936;
  • 34) 0.999 999 970 862 941 863 936 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 941 725 883 727 872;
  • 35) 0.999 999 941 725 883 727 872 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 883 451 767 455 744;
  • 36) 0.999 999 883 451 767 455 744 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 766 903 534 911 488;
  • 37) 0.999 999 766 903 534 911 488 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 533 807 069 822 976;
  • 38) 0.999 999 533 807 069 822 976 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 067 614 139 645 952;
  • 39) 0.999 999 067 614 139 645 952 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 998 135 228 279 291 904;
  • 40) 0.999 998 135 228 279 291 904 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 996 270 456 558 583 808;
  • 41) 0.999 996 270 456 558 583 808 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 992 540 913 117 167 616;
  • 42) 0.999 992 540 913 117 167 616 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 985 081 826 234 335 232;
  • 43) 0.999 985 081 826 234 335 232 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 970 163 652 468 670 464;
  • 44) 0.999 970 163 652 468 670 464 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 940 327 304 937 340 928;
  • 45) 0.999 940 327 304 937 340 928 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 880 654 609 874 681 856;
  • 46) 0.999 880 654 609 874 681 856 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 761 309 219 749 363 712;
  • 47) 0.999 761 309 219 749 363 712 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 522 618 439 498 727 424;
  • 48) 0.999 522 618 439 498 727 424 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 045 236 878 997 454 848;
  • 49) 0.999 045 236 878 997 454 848 × 2 = 1 + 0.998 090 473 757 994 909 696;
  • 50) 0.998 090 473 757 994 909 696 × 2 = 1 + 0.996 180 947 515 989 819 392;
  • 51) 0.996 180 947 515 989 819 392 × 2 = 1 + 0.992 361 895 031 979 638 784;
  • 52) 0.992 361 895 031 979 638 784 × 2 = 1 + 0.984 723 790 063 959 277 568;
  • 53) 0.984 723 790 063 959 277 568 × 2 = 1 + 0.969 447 580 127 918 555 136;
  • 54) 0.969 447 580 127 918 555 136 × 2 = 1 + 0.938 895 160 255 837 110 272;
  • 55) 0.938 895 160 255 837 110 272 × 2 = 1 + 0.877 790 320 511 674 220 544;
  • 56) 0.877 790 320 511 674 220 544 × 2 = 1 + 0.755 580 641 023 348 441 088;
  • 57) 0.755 580 641 023 348 441 088 × 2 = 1 + 0.511 161 282 046 696 882 176;
  • 58) 0.511 161 282 046 696 882 176 × 2 = 1 + 0.022 322 564 093 393 764 352;

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:


0.016 738 891 601 562 496 608(10) =


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

6. Positive number before normalization:

0.016 738 891 601 562 496 608(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:


0.016 738 891 601 562 496 608(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 -0.016 738 891 601 562 496 608 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