-0.056 970 1 Converted to 64 Bit Double Precision IEEE 754 Binary Floating Point Representation Standard

Convert decimal -0.056 970 1(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
-0.056 970 1(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:

|-0.056 970 1| = 0.056 970 1


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: 0.056 970 1.

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) 0.056 970 1 × 2 = 0 + 0.113 940 2;
  • 2) 0.113 940 2 × 2 = 0 + 0.227 880 4;
  • 3) 0.227 880 4 × 2 = 0 + 0.455 760 8;
  • 4) 0.455 760 8 × 2 = 0 + 0.911 521 6;
  • 5) 0.911 521 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.823 043 2;
  • 6) 0.823 043 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.646 086 4;
  • 7) 0.646 086 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.292 172 8;
  • 8) 0.292 172 8 × 2 = 0 + 0.584 345 6;
  • 9) 0.584 345 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.168 691 2;
  • 10) 0.168 691 2 × 2 = 0 + 0.337 382 4;
  • 11) 0.337 382 4 × 2 = 0 + 0.674 764 8;
  • 12) 0.674 764 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.349 529 6;
  • 13) 0.349 529 6 × 2 = 0 + 0.699 059 2;
  • 14) 0.699 059 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.398 118 4;
  • 15) 0.398 118 4 × 2 = 0 + 0.796 236 8;
  • 16) 0.796 236 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.592 473 6;
  • 17) 0.592 473 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.184 947 2;
  • 18) 0.184 947 2 × 2 = 0 + 0.369 894 4;
  • 19) 0.369 894 4 × 2 = 0 + 0.739 788 8;
  • 20) 0.739 788 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.479 577 6;
  • 21) 0.479 577 6 × 2 = 0 + 0.959 155 2;
  • 22) 0.959 155 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.918 310 4;
  • 23) 0.918 310 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.836 620 8;
  • 24) 0.836 620 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.673 241 6;
  • 25) 0.673 241 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.346 483 2;
  • 26) 0.346 483 2 × 2 = 0 + 0.692 966 4;
  • 27) 0.692 966 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.385 932 8;
  • 28) 0.385 932 8 × 2 = 0 + 0.771 865 6;
  • 29) 0.771 865 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.543 731 2;
  • 30) 0.543 731 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.087 462 4;
  • 31) 0.087 462 4 × 2 = 0 + 0.174 924 8;
  • 32) 0.174 924 8 × 2 = 0 + 0.349 849 6;
  • 33) 0.349 849 6 × 2 = 0 + 0.699 699 2;
  • 34) 0.699 699 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.399 398 4;
  • 35) 0.399 398 4 × 2 = 0 + 0.798 796 8;
  • 36) 0.798 796 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.597 593 6;
  • 37) 0.597 593 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.195 187 2;
  • 38) 0.195 187 2 × 2 = 0 + 0.390 374 4;
  • 39) 0.390 374 4 × 2 = 0 + 0.780 748 8;
  • 40) 0.780 748 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.561 497 6;
  • 41) 0.561 497 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.122 995 2;
  • 42) 0.122 995 2 × 2 = 0 + 0.245 990 4;
  • 43) 0.245 990 4 × 2 = 0 + 0.491 980 8;
  • 44) 0.491 980 8 × 2 = 0 + 0.983 961 6;
  • 45) 0.983 961 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.967 923 2;
  • 46) 0.967 923 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.935 846 4;
  • 47) 0.935 846 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.871 692 8;
  • 48) 0.871 692 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.743 385 6;
  • 49) 0.743 385 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.486 771 2;
  • 50) 0.486 771 2 × 2 = 0 + 0.973 542 4;
  • 51) 0.973 542 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.947 084 8;
  • 52) 0.947 084 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.894 169 6;
  • 53) 0.894 169 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.788 339 2;
  • 54) 0.788 339 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.576 678 4;
  • 55) 0.576 678 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.153 356 8;
  • 56) 0.153 356 8 × 2 = 0 + 0.306 713 6;
  • 57) 0.306 713 6 × 2 = 0 + 0.613 427 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:


0.056 970 1(10) =


0.0000 1110 1001 0101 1001 0111 1010 1100 0101 1001 1000 1111 1011 1110 0(2)

6. Positive number before normalization:

0.056 970 1(10) =


0.0000 1110 1001 0101 1001 0111 1010 1100 0101 1001 1000 1111 1011 1110 0(2)

7. Normalize the binary representation of the number.

Shift the decimal mark 5 positions to the right, so that only one non zero digit remains to the left of it:


0.056 970 1(10) =


0.0000 1110 1001 0101 1001 0111 1010 1100 0101 1001 1000 1111 1011 1110 0(2) =


0.0000 1110 1001 0101 1001 0111 1010 1100 0101 1001 1000 1111 1011 1110 0(2) × 20 =


1.1101 0010 1011 0010 1111 0101 1000 1011 0011 0001 1111 0111 1100(2) × 2-5


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): -5


Mantissa (not normalized):
1.1101 0010 1011 0010 1111 0101 1000 1011 0011 0001 1111 0111 1100


9. Adjust the exponent.

Use the 11 bit excess/bias notation:


Exponent (adjusted) =


Exponent (unadjusted) + 2(11-1) - 1 =


-5 + 2(11-1) - 1 =


(-5 + 1 023)(10) =


1 018(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;
  • 1 018 ÷ 2 = 509 + 0;
  • 509 ÷ 2 = 254 + 1;
  • 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) =


1018(10) =


011 1111 1010(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. 1101 0010 1011 0010 1111 0101 1000 1011 0011 0001 1111 0111 1100 =


1101 0010 1011 0010 1111 0101 1000 1011 0011 0001 1111 0111 1100


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 1010


Mantissa (52 bits) =
1101 0010 1011 0010 1111 0101 1000 1011 0011 0001 1111 0111 1100


Decimal number -0.056 970 1 converted to 64 bit double precision IEEE 754 binary floating point representation:

1 - 011 1111 1010 - 1101 0010 1011 0010 1111 0101 1000 1011 0011 0001 1111 0111 1100


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