1.999 999 999 999 999 888 977 697 537 484 345 957 636 556 Converted to 64 Bit Double Precision IEEE 754 Binary Floating Point Representation Standard

Convert decimal 1.999 999 999 999 999 888 977 697 537 484 345 957 636 556(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
1.999 999 999 999 999 888 977 697 537 484 345 957 636 556(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. First, convert to binary (in base 2) the integer part: 1.
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;
  • 1 ÷ 2 = 0 + 1;

2. 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.

1(10) =


1(2)


3. Convert to binary (base 2) the fractional part: 0.999 999 999 999 999 888 977 697 537 484 345 957 636 556.

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) 0.999 999 999 999 999 888 977 697 537 484 345 957 636 556 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 999 999 777 955 395 074 968 691 915 273 112;
  • 2) 0.999 999 999 999 999 777 955 395 074 968 691 915 273 112 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 999 999 555 910 790 149 937 383 830 546 224;
  • 3) 0.999 999 999 999 999 555 910 790 149 937 383 830 546 224 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 999 999 111 821 580 299 874 767 661 092 448;
  • 4) 0.999 999 999 999 999 111 821 580 299 874 767 661 092 448 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 999 998 223 643 160 599 749 535 322 184 896;
  • 5) 0.999 999 999 999 998 223 643 160 599 749 535 322 184 896 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 999 996 447 286 321 199 499 070 644 369 792;
  • 6) 0.999 999 999 999 996 447 286 321 199 499 070 644 369 792 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 999 992 894 572 642 398 998 141 288 739 584;
  • 7) 0.999 999 999 999 992 894 572 642 398 998 141 288 739 584 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 999 985 789 145 284 797 996 282 577 479 168;
  • 8) 0.999 999 999 999 985 789 145 284 797 996 282 577 479 168 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 999 971 578 290 569 595 992 565 154 958 336;
  • 9) 0.999 999 999 999 971 578 290 569 595 992 565 154 958 336 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 999 943 156 581 139 191 985 130 309 916 672;
  • 10) 0.999 999 999 999 943 156 581 139 191 985 130 309 916 672 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 999 886 313 162 278 383 970 260 619 833 344;
  • 11) 0.999 999 999 999 886 313 162 278 383 970 260 619 833 344 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 999 772 626 324 556 767 940 521 239 666 688;
  • 12) 0.999 999 999 999 772 626 324 556 767 940 521 239 666 688 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 999 545 252 649 113 535 881 042 479 333 376;
  • 13) 0.999 999 999 999 545 252 649 113 535 881 042 479 333 376 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 999 090 505 298 227 071 762 084 958 666 752;
  • 14) 0.999 999 999 999 090 505 298 227 071 762 084 958 666 752 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 998 181 010 596 454 143 524 169 917 333 504;
  • 15) 0.999 999 999 998 181 010 596 454 143 524 169 917 333 504 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 996 362 021 192 908 287 048 339 834 667 008;
  • 16) 0.999 999 999 996 362 021 192 908 287 048 339 834 667 008 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 992 724 042 385 816 574 096 679 669 334 016;
  • 17) 0.999 999 999 992 724 042 385 816 574 096 679 669 334 016 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 985 448 084 771 633 148 193 359 338 668 032;
  • 18) 0.999 999 999 985 448 084 771 633 148 193 359 338 668 032 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 970 896 169 543 266 296 386 718 677 336 064;
  • 19) 0.999 999 999 970 896 169 543 266 296 386 718 677 336 064 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 941 792 339 086 532 592 773 437 354 672 128;
  • 20) 0.999 999 999 941 792 339 086 532 592 773 437 354 672 128 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 883 584 678 173 065 185 546 874 709 344 256;
  • 21) 0.999 999 999 883 584 678 173 065 185 546 874 709 344 256 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 767 169 356 346 130 371 093 749 418 688 512;
  • 22) 0.999 999 999 767 169 356 346 130 371 093 749 418 688 512 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 534 338 712 692 260 742 187 498 837 377 024;
  • 23) 0.999 999 999 534 338 712 692 260 742 187 498 837 377 024 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 999 068 677 425 384 521 484 374 997 674 754 048;
  • 24) 0.999 999 999 068 677 425 384 521 484 374 997 674 754 048 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 998 137 354 850 769 042 968 749 995 349 508 096;
  • 25) 0.999 999 998 137 354 850 769 042 968 749 995 349 508 096 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 996 274 709 701 538 085 937 499 990 699 016 192;
  • 26) 0.999 999 996 274 709 701 538 085 937 499 990 699 016 192 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 992 549 419 403 076 171 874 999 981 398 032 384;
  • 27) 0.999 999 992 549 419 403 076 171 874 999 981 398 032 384 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 985 098 838 806 152 343 749 999 962 796 064 768;
  • 28) 0.999 999 985 098 838 806 152 343 749 999 962 796 064 768 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 970 197 677 612 304 687 499 999 925 592 129 536;
  • 29) 0.999 999 970 197 677 612 304 687 499 999 925 592 129 536 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 940 395 355 224 609 374 999 999 851 184 259 072;
  • 30) 0.999 999 940 395 355 224 609 374 999 999 851 184 259 072 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 880 790 710 449 218 749 999 999 702 368 518 144;
  • 31) 0.999 999 880 790 710 449 218 749 999 999 702 368 518 144 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 761 581 420 898 437 499 999 999 404 737 036 288;
  • 32) 0.999 999 761 581 420 898 437 499 999 999 404 737 036 288 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 523 162 841 796 874 999 999 998 809 474 072 576;
  • 33) 0.999 999 523 162 841 796 874 999 999 998 809 474 072 576 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 999 046 325 683 593 749 999 999 997 618 948 145 152;
  • 34) 0.999 999 046 325 683 593 749 999 999 997 618 948 145 152 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 998 092 651 367 187 499 999 999 995 237 896 290 304;
  • 35) 0.999 998 092 651 367 187 499 999 999 995 237 896 290 304 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 996 185 302 734 374 999 999 999 990 475 792 580 608;
  • 36) 0.999 996 185 302 734 374 999 999 999 990 475 792 580 608 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 992 370 605 468 749 999 999 999 980 951 585 161 216;
  • 37) 0.999 992 370 605 468 749 999 999 999 980 951 585 161 216 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 984 741 210 937 499 999 999 999 961 903 170 322 432;
  • 38) 0.999 984 741 210 937 499 999 999 999 961 903 170 322 432 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 969 482 421 874 999 999 999 999 923 806 340 644 864;
  • 39) 0.999 969 482 421 874 999 999 999 999 923 806 340 644 864 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 938 964 843 749 999 999 999 999 847 612 681 289 728;
  • 40) 0.999 938 964 843 749 999 999 999 999 847 612 681 289 728 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 877 929 687 499 999 999 999 999 695 225 362 579 456;
  • 41) 0.999 877 929 687 499 999 999 999 999 695 225 362 579 456 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 755 859 374 999 999 999 999 999 390 450 725 158 912;
  • 42) 0.999 755 859 374 999 999 999 999 999 390 450 725 158 912 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 511 718 749 999 999 999 999 998 780 901 450 317 824;
  • 43) 0.999 511 718 749 999 999 999 999 998 780 901 450 317 824 × 2 = 1 + 0.999 023 437 499 999 999 999 999 997 561 802 900 635 648;
  • 44) 0.999 023 437 499 999 999 999 999 997 561 802 900 635 648 × 2 = 1 + 0.998 046 874 999 999 999 999 999 995 123 605 801 271 296;
  • 45) 0.998 046 874 999 999 999 999 999 995 123 605 801 271 296 × 2 = 1 + 0.996 093 749 999 999 999 999 999 990 247 211 602 542 592;
  • 46) 0.996 093 749 999 999 999 999 999 990 247 211 602 542 592 × 2 = 1 + 0.992 187 499 999 999 999 999 999 980 494 423 205 085 184;
  • 47) 0.992 187 499 999 999 999 999 999 980 494 423 205 085 184 × 2 = 1 + 0.984 374 999 999 999 999 999 999 960 988 846 410 170 368;
  • 48) 0.984 374 999 999 999 999 999 999 960 988 846 410 170 368 × 2 = 1 + 0.968 749 999 999 999 999 999 999 921 977 692 820 340 736;
  • 49) 0.968 749 999 999 999 999 999 999 921 977 692 820 340 736 × 2 = 1 + 0.937 499 999 999 999 999 999 999 843 955 385 640 681 472;
  • 50) 0.937 499 999 999 999 999 999 999 843 955 385 640 681 472 × 2 = 1 + 0.874 999 999 999 999 999 999 999 687 910 771 281 362 944;
  • 51) 0.874 999 999 999 999 999 999 999 687 910 771 281 362 944 × 2 = 1 + 0.749 999 999 999 999 999 999 999 375 821 542 562 725 888;
  • 52) 0.749 999 999 999 999 999 999 999 375 821 542 562 725 888 × 2 = 1 + 0.499 999 999 999 999 999 999 998 751 643 085 125 451 776;
  • 53) 0.499 999 999 999 999 999 999 998 751 643 085 125 451 776 × 2 = 0 + 0.999 999 999 999 999 999 999 997 503 286 170 250 903 552;

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).


4. 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:


0.999 999 999 999 999 888 977 697 537 484 345 957 636 556(10) =


0.1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 0(2)

5. Positive number before normalization:

1.999 999 999 999 999 888 977 697 537 484 345 957 636 556(10) =


1.1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 0(2)

6. Normalize the binary representation of the number.

Shift the decimal mark 0 positions to the left, so that only one non zero digit remains to the left of it:


1.999 999 999 999 999 888 977 697 537 484 345 957 636 556(10) =


1.1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 0(2) =


1.1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 0(2) × 20


7. 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 0 (a positive number)


Exponent (unadjusted): 0


Mantissa (not normalized):
1.1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 0


8. Adjust the exponent.

Use the 11 bit excess/bias notation:


Exponent (adjusted) =


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


0 + 2(11-1) - 1 =


(0 + 1 023)(10) =


1 023(10)


9. 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;
  • 1 023 ÷ 2 = 511 + 1;
  • 511 ÷ 2 = 255 + 1;
  • 255 ÷ 2 = 127 + 1;
  • 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;

10. Construct the base 2 representation of the adjusted exponent.

Take all the remainders starting from the bottom of the list constructed above.


Exponent (adjusted) =


1023(10) =


011 1111 1111(2)


11. 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, by removing the excess bits, from the right (if any of the excess bits is set on 1, we are losing precision...).


Mantissa (normalized) =


1. 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 0 =


1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111


12. The three elements that make up the number's 64 bit double precision IEEE 754 binary floating point representation:

Sign (1 bit) =
0 (a positive number)


Exponent (11 bits) =
011 1111 1111


Mantissa (52 bits) =
1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111


Decimal number 1.999 999 999 999 999 888 977 697 537 484 345 957 636 556 converted to 64 bit double precision IEEE 754 binary floating point representation:

0 - 011 1111 1111 - 1111 1111 1111 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