-0.016 738 891 601 562 531 086 244 689 504 382 955 Converted to 64 Bit Double Precision IEEE 754 Binary Floating Point Representation Standard

Convert decimal -0.016 738 891 601 562 531 086 244 689 504 382 955(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
-0.016 738 891 601 562 531 086 244 689 504 382 955(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:

|-0.016 738 891 601 562 531 086 244 689 504 382 955| = 0.016 738 891 601 562 531 086 244 689 504 382 955


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: 0.016 738 891 601 562 531 086 244 689 504 382 955.

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) 0.016 738 891 601 562 531 086 244 689 504 382 955 × 2 = 0 + 0.033 477 783 203 125 062 172 489 379 008 765 91;
  • 2) 0.033 477 783 203 125 062 172 489 379 008 765 91 × 2 = 0 + 0.066 955 566 406 250 124 344 978 758 017 531 82;
  • 3) 0.066 955 566 406 250 124 344 978 758 017 531 82 × 2 = 0 + 0.133 911 132 812 500 248 689 957 516 035 063 64;
  • 4) 0.133 911 132 812 500 248 689 957 516 035 063 64 × 2 = 0 + 0.267 822 265 625 000 497 379 915 032 070 127 28;
  • 5) 0.267 822 265 625 000 497 379 915 032 070 127 28 × 2 = 0 + 0.535 644 531 250 000 994 759 830 064 140 254 56;
  • 6) 0.535 644 531 250 000 994 759 830 064 140 254 56 × 2 = 1 + 0.071 289 062 500 001 989 519 660 128 280 509 12;
  • 7) 0.071 289 062 500 001 989 519 660 128 280 509 12 × 2 = 0 + 0.142 578 125 000 003 979 039 320 256 561 018 24;
  • 8) 0.142 578 125 000 003 979 039 320 256 561 018 24 × 2 = 0 + 0.285 156 250 000 007 958 078 640 513 122 036 48;
  • 9) 0.285 156 250 000 007 958 078 640 513 122 036 48 × 2 = 0 + 0.570 312 500 000 015 916 157 281 026 244 072 96;
  • 10) 0.570 312 500 000 015 916 157 281 026 244 072 96 × 2 = 1 + 0.140 625 000 000 031 832 314 562 052 488 145 92;
  • 11) 0.140 625 000 000 031 832 314 562 052 488 145 92 × 2 = 0 + 0.281 250 000 000 063 664 629 124 104 976 291 84;
  • 12) 0.281 250 000 000 063 664 629 124 104 976 291 84 × 2 = 0 + 0.562 500 000 000 127 329 258 248 209 952 583 68;
  • 13) 0.562 500 000 000 127 329 258 248 209 952 583 68 × 2 = 1 + 0.125 000 000 000 254 658 516 496 419 905 167 36;
  • 14) 0.125 000 000 000 254 658 516 496 419 905 167 36 × 2 = 0 + 0.250 000 000 000 509 317 032 992 839 810 334 72;
  • 15) 0.250 000 000 000 509 317 032 992 839 810 334 72 × 2 = 0 + 0.500 000 000 001 018 634 065 985 679 620 669 44;
  • 16) 0.500 000 000 001 018 634 065 985 679 620 669 44 × 2 = 1 + 0.000 000 000 002 037 268 131 971 359 241 338 88;
  • 17) 0.000 000 000 002 037 268 131 971 359 241 338 88 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 000 004 074 536 263 942 718 482 677 76;
  • 18) 0.000 000 000 004 074 536 263 942 718 482 677 76 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 000 008 149 072 527 885 436 965 355 52;
  • 19) 0.000 000 000 008 149 072 527 885 436 965 355 52 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 000 016 298 145 055 770 873 930 711 04;
  • 20) 0.000 000 000 016 298 145 055 770 873 930 711 04 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 000 032 596 290 111 541 747 861 422 08;
  • 21) 0.000 000 000 032 596 290 111 541 747 861 422 08 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 000 065 192 580 223 083 495 722 844 16;
  • 22) 0.000 000 000 065 192 580 223 083 495 722 844 16 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 000 130 385 160 446 166 991 445 688 32;
  • 23) 0.000 000 000 130 385 160 446 166 991 445 688 32 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 000 260 770 320 892 333 982 891 376 64;
  • 24) 0.000 000 000 260 770 320 892 333 982 891 376 64 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 000 521 540 641 784 667 965 782 753 28;
  • 25) 0.000 000 000 521 540 641 784 667 965 782 753 28 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 001 043 081 283 569 335 931 565 506 56;
  • 26) 0.000 000 001 043 081 283 569 335 931 565 506 56 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 002 086 162 567 138 671 863 131 013 12;
  • 27) 0.000 000 002 086 162 567 138 671 863 131 013 12 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 004 172 325 134 277 343 726 262 026 24;
  • 28) 0.000 000 004 172 325 134 277 343 726 262 026 24 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 008 344 650 268 554 687 452 524 052 48;
  • 29) 0.000 000 008 344 650 268 554 687 452 524 052 48 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 016 689 300 537 109 374 905 048 104 96;
  • 30) 0.000 000 016 689 300 537 109 374 905 048 104 96 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 033 378 601 074 218 749 810 096 209 92;
  • 31) 0.000 000 033 378 601 074 218 749 810 096 209 92 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 066 757 202 148 437 499 620 192 419 84;
  • 32) 0.000 000 066 757 202 148 437 499 620 192 419 84 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 133 514 404 296 874 999 240 384 839 68;
  • 33) 0.000 000 133 514 404 296 874 999 240 384 839 68 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 267 028 808 593 749 998 480 769 679 36;
  • 34) 0.000 000 267 028 808 593 749 998 480 769 679 36 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 000 534 057 617 187 499 996 961 539 358 72;
  • 35) 0.000 000 534 057 617 187 499 996 961 539 358 72 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 001 068 115 234 374 999 993 923 078 717 44;
  • 36) 0.000 001 068 115 234 374 999 993 923 078 717 44 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 002 136 230 468 749 999 987 846 157 434 88;
  • 37) 0.000 002 136 230 468 749 999 987 846 157 434 88 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 004 272 460 937 499 999 975 692 314 869 76;
  • 38) 0.000 004 272 460 937 499 999 975 692 314 869 76 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 008 544 921 874 999 999 951 384 629 739 52;
  • 39) 0.000 008 544 921 874 999 999 951 384 629 739 52 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 017 089 843 749 999 999 902 769 259 479 04;
  • 40) 0.000 017 089 843 749 999 999 902 769 259 479 04 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 034 179 687 499 999 999 805 538 518 958 08;
  • 41) 0.000 034 179 687 499 999 999 805 538 518 958 08 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 068 359 374 999 999 999 611 077 037 916 16;
  • 42) 0.000 068 359 374 999 999 999 611 077 037 916 16 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 136 718 749 999 999 999 222 154 075 832 32;
  • 43) 0.000 136 718 749 999 999 999 222 154 075 832 32 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 273 437 499 999 999 998 444 308 151 664 64;
  • 44) 0.000 273 437 499 999 999 998 444 308 151 664 64 × 2 = 0 + 0.000 546 874 999 999 999 996 888 616 303 329 28;
  • 45) 0.000 546 874 999 999 999 996 888 616 303 329 28 × 2 = 0 + 0.001 093 749 999 999 999 993 777 232 606 658 56;
  • 46) 0.001 093 749 999 999 999 993 777 232 606 658 56 × 2 = 0 + 0.002 187 499 999 999 999 987 554 465 213 317 12;
  • 47) 0.002 187 499 999 999 999 987 554 465 213 317 12 × 2 = 0 + 0.004 374 999 999 999 999 975 108 930 426 634 24;
  • 48) 0.004 374 999 999 999 999 975 108 930 426 634 24 × 2 = 0 + 0.008 749 999 999 999 999 950 217 860 853 268 48;
  • 49) 0.008 749 999 999 999 999 950 217 860 853 268 48 × 2 = 0 + 0.017 499 999 999 999 999 900 435 721 706 536 96;
  • 50) 0.017 499 999 999 999 999 900 435 721 706 536 96 × 2 = 0 + 0.034 999 999 999 999 999 800 871 443 413 073 92;
  • 51) 0.034 999 999 999 999 999 800 871 443 413 073 92 × 2 = 0 + 0.069 999 999 999 999 999 601 742 886 826 147 84;
  • 52) 0.069 999 999 999 999 999 601 742 886 826 147 84 × 2 = 0 + 0.139 999 999 999 999 999 203 485 773 652 295 68;
  • 53) 0.139 999 999 999 999 999 203 485 773 652 295 68 × 2 = 0 + 0.279 999 999 999 999 998 406 971 547 304 591 36;
  • 54) 0.279 999 999 999 999 998 406 971 547 304 591 36 × 2 = 0 + 0.559 999 999 999 999 996 813 943 094 609 182 72;
  • 55) 0.559 999 999 999 999 996 813 943 094 609 182 72 × 2 = 1 + 0.119 999 999 999 999 993 627 886 189 218 365 44;
  • 56) 0.119 999 999 999 999 993 627 886 189 218 365 44 × 2 = 0 + 0.239 999 999 999 999 987 255 772 378 436 730 88;
  • 57) 0.239 999 999 999 999 987 255 772 378 436 730 88 × 2 = 0 + 0.479 999 999 999 999 974 511 544 756 873 461 76;
  • 58) 0.479 999 999 999 999 974 511 544 756 873 461 76 × 2 = 0 + 0.959 999 999 999 999 949 023 089 513 746 923 52;

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:


0.016 738 891 601 562 531 086 244 689 504 382 955(10) =


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

6. Positive number before normalization:

0.016 738 891 601 562 531 086 244 689 504 382 955(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:


0.016 738 891 601 562 531 086 244 689 504 382 955(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 -0.016 738 891 601 562 531 086 244 689 504 382 955 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