-0.016 738 891 601 562 531 086 244 689 504 382 24 Converted to 64 Bit Double Precision IEEE 754 Binary Floating Point Representation Standard

Convert decimal -0.016 738 891 601 562 531 086 244 689 504 382 24(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
-0.016 738 891 601 562 531 086 244 689 504 382 24(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:

|-0.016 738 891 601 562 531 086 244 689 504 382 24| = 0.016 738 891 601 562 531 086 244 689 504 382 24


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: 0.016 738 891 601 562 531 086 244 689 504 382 24.

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) 0.016 738 891 601 562 531 086 244 689 504 382 24 × 2 = 0 + 0.033 477 783 203 125 062 172 489 379 008 764 48;
  • 2) 0.033 477 783 203 125 062 172 489 379 008 764 48 × 2 = 0 + 0.066 955 566 406 250 124 344 978 758 017 528 96;
  • 3) 0.066 955 566 406 250 124 344 978 758 017 528 96 × 2 = 0 + 0.133 911 132 812 500 248 689 957 516 035 057 92;
  • 4) 0.133 911 132 812 500 248 689 957 516 035 057 92 × 2 = 0 + 0.267 822 265 625 000 497 379 915 032 070 115 84;
  • 5) 0.267 822 265 625 000 497 379 915 032 070 115 84 × 2 = 0 + 0.535 644 531 250 000 994 759 830 064 140 231 68;
  • 6) 0.535 644 531 250 000 994 759 830 064 140 231 68 × 2 = 1 + 0.071 289 062 500 001 989 519 660 128 280 463 36;
  • 7) 0.071 289 062 500 001 989 519 660 128 280 463 36 × 2 = 0 + 0.142 578 125 000 003 979 039 320 256 560 926 72;
  • 8) 0.142 578 125 000 003 979 039 320 256 560 926 72 × 2 = 0 + 0.285 156 250 000 007 958 078 640 513 121 853 44;
  • 9) 0.285 156 250 000 007 958 078 640 513 121 853 44 × 2 = 0 + 0.570 312 500 000 015 916 157 281 026 243 706 88;
  • 10) 0.570 312 500 000 015 916 157 281 026 243 706 88 × 2 = 1 + 0.140 625 000 000 031 832 314 562 052 487 413 76;
  • 11) 0.140 625 000 000 031 832 314 562 052 487 413 76 × 2 = 0 + 0.281 250 000 000 063 664 629 124 104 974 827 52;
  • 12) 0.281 250 000 000 063 664 629 124 104 974 827 52 × 2 = 0 + 0.562 500 000 000 127 329 258 248 209 949 655 04;
  • 13) 0.562 500 000 000 127 329 258 248 209 949 655 04 × 2 = 1 + 0.125 000 000 000 254 658 516 496 419 899 310 08;
  • 14) 0.125 000 000 000 254 658 516 496 419 899 310 08 × 2 = 0 + 0.250 000 000 000 509 317 032 992 839 798 620 16;
  • 15) 0.250 000 000 000 509 317 032 992 839 798 620 16 × 2 = 0 + 0.500 000 000 001 018 634 065 985 679 597 240 32;
  • 16) 0.500 000 000 001 018 634 065 985 679 597 240 32 × 2 = 1 + 0.000 000 000 002 037 268 131 971 359 194 480 64;
  • 17) 0.000 000 000 002 037 268 131 971 359 194 480 64 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 000 004 074 536 263 942 718 388 961 28;
  • 18) 0.000 000 000 004 074 536 263 942 718 388 961 28 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 000 008 149 072 527 885 436 777 922 56;
  • 19) 0.000 000 000 008 149 072 527 885 436 777 922 56 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 000 016 298 145 055 770 873 555 845 12;
  • 20) 0.000 000 000 016 298 145 055 770 873 555 845 12 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 000 032 596 290 111 541 747 111 690 24;
  • 21) 0.000 000 000 032 596 290 111 541 747 111 690 24 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 000 065 192 580 223 083 494 223 380 48;
  • 22) 0.000 000 000 065 192 580 223 083 494 223 380 48 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 000 130 385 160 446 166 988 446 760 96;
  • 23) 0.000 000 000 130 385 160 446 166 988 446 760 96 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 000 260 770 320 892 333 976 893 521 92;
  • 24) 0.000 000 000 260 770 320 892 333 976 893 521 92 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 000 521 540 641 784 667 953 787 043 84;
  • 25) 0.000 000 000 521 540 641 784 667 953 787 043 84 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 001 043 081 283 569 335 907 574 087 68;
  • 26) 0.000 000 001 043 081 283 569 335 907 574 087 68 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 002 086 162 567 138 671 815 148 175 36;
  • 27) 0.000 000 002 086 162 567 138 671 815 148 175 36 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 004 172 325 134 277 343 630 296 350 72;
  • 28) 0.000 000 004 172 325 134 277 343 630 296 350 72 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 008 344 650 268 554 687 260 592 701 44;
  • 29) 0.000 000 008 344 650 268 554 687 260 592 701 44 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 016 689 300 537 109 374 521 185 402 88;
  • 30) 0.000 000 016 689 300 537 109 374 521 185 402 88 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 033 378 601 074 218 749 042 370 805 76;
  • 31) 0.000 000 033 378 601 074 218 749 042 370 805 76 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 066 757 202 148 437 498 084 741 611 52;
  • 32) 0.000 000 066 757 202 148 437 498 084 741 611 52 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 133 514 404 296 874 996 169 483 223 04;
  • 33) 0.000 000 133 514 404 296 874 996 169 483 223 04 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 267 028 808 593 749 992 338 966 446 08;
  • 34) 0.000 000 267 028 808 593 749 992 338 966 446 08 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 534 057 617 187 499 984 677 932 892 16;
  • 35) 0.000 000 534 057 617 187 499 984 677 932 892 16 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 001 068 115 234 374 999 969 355 865 784 32;
  • 36) 0.000 001 068 115 234 374 999 969 355 865 784 32 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 002 136 230 468 749 999 938 711 731 568 64;
  • 37) 0.000 002 136 230 468 749 999 938 711 731 568 64 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 004 272 460 937 499 999 877 423 463 137 28;
  • 38) 0.000 004 272 460 937 499 999 877 423 463 137 28 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 008 544 921 874 999 999 754 846 926 274 56;
  • 39) 0.000 008 544 921 874 999 999 754 846 926 274 56 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 017 089 843 749 999 999 509 693 852 549 12;
  • 40) 0.000 017 089 843 749 999 999 509 693 852 549 12 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 034 179 687 499 999 999 019 387 705 098 24;
  • 41) 0.000 034 179 687 499 999 999 019 387 705 098 24 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 068 359 374 999 999 998 038 775 410 196 48;
  • 42) 0.000 068 359 374 999 999 998 038 775 410 196 48 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 136 718 749 999 999 996 077 550 820 392 96;
  • 43) 0.000 136 718 749 999 999 996 077 550 820 392 96 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 273 437 499 999 999 992 155 101 640 785 92;
  • 44) 0.000 273 437 499 999 999 992 155 101 640 785 92 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 546 874 999 999 999 984 310 203 281 571 84;
  • 45) 0.000 546 874 999 999 999 984 310 203 281 571 84 × 2 = 0 + 0.001 093 749 999 999 999 968 620 406 563 143 68;
  • 46) 0.001 093 749 999 999 999 968 620 406 563 143 68 × 2 = 0 + 0.002 187 499 999 999 999 937 240 813 126 287 36;
  • 47) 0.002 187 499 999 999 999 937 240 813 126 287 36 × 2 = 0 + 0.004 374 999 999 999 999 874 481 626 252 574 72;
  • 48) 0.004 374 999 999 999 999 874 481 626 252 574 72 × 2 = 0 + 0.008 749 999 999 999 999 748 963 252 505 149 44;
  • 49) 0.008 749 999 999 999 999 748 963 252 505 149 44 × 2 = 0 + 0.017 499 999 999 999 999 497 926 505 010 298 88;
  • 50) 0.017 499 999 999 999 999 497 926 505 010 298 88 × 2 = 0 + 0.034 999 999 999 999 998 995 853 010 020 597 76;
  • 51) 0.034 999 999 999 999 998 995 853 010 020 597 76 × 2 = 0 + 0.069 999 999 999 999 997 991 706 020 041 195 52;
  • 52) 0.069 999 999 999 999 997 991 706 020 041 195 52 × 2 = 0 + 0.139 999 999 999 999 995 983 412 040 082 391 04;
  • 53) 0.139 999 999 999 999 995 983 412 040 082 391 04 × 2 = 0 + 0.279 999 999 999 999 991 966 824 080 164 782 08;
  • 54) 0.279 999 999 999 999 991 966 824 080 164 782 08 × 2 = 0 + 0.559 999 999 999 999 983 933 648 160 329 564 16;
  • 55) 0.559 999 999 999 999 983 933 648 160 329 564 16 × 2 = 1 + 0.119 999 999 999 999 967 867 296 320 659 128 32;
  • 56) 0.119 999 999 999 999 967 867 296 320 659 128 32 × 2 = 0 + 0.239 999 999 999 999 935 734 592 641 318 256 64;
  • 57) 0.239 999 999 999 999 935 734 592 641 318 256 64 × 2 = 0 + 0.479 999 999 999 999 871 469 185 282 636 513 28;
  • 58) 0.479 999 999 999 999 871 469 185 282 636 513 28 × 2 = 0 + 0.959 999 999 999 999 742 938 370 565 273 026 56;

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:


0.016 738 891 601 562 531 086 244 689 504 382 24(10) =


0.0000 0100 0100 1001 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0010 00(2)

6. Positive number before normalization:

0.016 738 891 601 562 531 086 244 689 504 382 24(10) =


0.0000 0100 0100 1001 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0010 00(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:


0.016 738 891 601 562 531 086 244 689 504 382 24(10) =


0.0000 0100 0100 1001 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0010 00(2) =


0.0000 0100 0100 1001 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0010 00(2) × 20 =


1.0001 0010 0100 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 1000(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 0100 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 1000


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 0100 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 1000 =


0001 0010 0100 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 1000


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 0100 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 1000


Decimal number -0.016 738 891 601 562 531 086 244 689 504 382 24 converted to 64 bit double precision IEEE 754 binary floating point representation:

1 - 011 1111 1001 - 0001 0010 0100 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 1000

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