3.123 145 321 678 969 8 Converted to 64 Bit Double Precision IEEE 754 Binary Floating Point Representation Standard

Convert decimal 3.123 145 321 678 969 8(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
3.123 145 321 678 969 8(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: 3.
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;
  • 3 ÷ 2 = 1 + 1;
  • 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.

3(10) =


11(2)


3. Convert to binary (base 2) the fractional part: 0.123 145 321 678 969 8.

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) 0.123 145 321 678 969 8 × 2 = 0 + 0.246 290 643 357 939 6;
  • 2) 0.246 290 643 357 939 6 × 2 = 0 + 0.492 581 286 715 879 2;
  • 3) 0.492 581 286 715 879 2 × 2 = 0 + 0.985 162 573 431 758 4;
  • 4) 0.985 162 573 431 758 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.970 325 146 863 516 8;
  • 5) 0.970 325 146 863 516 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.940 650 293 727 033 6;
  • 6) 0.940 650 293 727 033 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.881 300 587 454 067 2;
  • 7) 0.881 300 587 454 067 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.762 601 174 908 134 4;
  • 8) 0.762 601 174 908 134 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.525 202 349 816 268 8;
  • 9) 0.525 202 349 816 268 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.050 404 699 632 537 6;
  • 10) 0.050 404 699 632 537 6 × 2 = 0 + 0.100 809 399 265 075 2;
  • 11) 0.100 809 399 265 075 2 × 2 = 0 + 0.201 618 798 530 150 4;
  • 12) 0.201 618 798 530 150 4 × 2 = 0 + 0.403 237 597 060 300 8;
  • 13) 0.403 237 597 060 300 8 × 2 = 0 + 0.806 475 194 120 601 6;
  • 14) 0.806 475 194 120 601 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.612 950 388 241 203 2;
  • 15) 0.612 950 388 241 203 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.225 900 776 482 406 4;
  • 16) 0.225 900 776 482 406 4 × 2 = 0 + 0.451 801 552 964 812 8;
  • 17) 0.451 801 552 964 812 8 × 2 = 0 + 0.903 603 105 929 625 6;
  • 18) 0.903 603 105 929 625 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.807 206 211 859 251 2;
  • 19) 0.807 206 211 859 251 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.614 412 423 718 502 4;
  • 20) 0.614 412 423 718 502 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.228 824 847 437 004 8;
  • 21) 0.228 824 847 437 004 8 × 2 = 0 + 0.457 649 694 874 009 6;
  • 22) 0.457 649 694 874 009 6 × 2 = 0 + 0.915 299 389 748 019 2;
  • 23) 0.915 299 389 748 019 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.830 598 779 496 038 4;
  • 24) 0.830 598 779 496 038 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.661 197 558 992 076 8;
  • 25) 0.661 197 558 992 076 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.322 395 117 984 153 6;
  • 26) 0.322 395 117 984 153 6 × 2 = 0 + 0.644 790 235 968 307 2;
  • 27) 0.644 790 235 968 307 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.289 580 471 936 614 4;
  • 28) 0.289 580 471 936 614 4 × 2 = 0 + 0.579 160 943 873 228 8;
  • 29) 0.579 160 943 873 228 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.158 321 887 746 457 6;
  • 30) 0.158 321 887 746 457 6 × 2 = 0 + 0.316 643 775 492 915 2;
  • 31) 0.316 643 775 492 915 2 × 2 = 0 + 0.633 287 550 985 830 4;
  • 32) 0.633 287 550 985 830 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.266 575 101 971 660 8;
  • 33) 0.266 575 101 971 660 8 × 2 = 0 + 0.533 150 203 943 321 6;
  • 34) 0.533 150 203 943 321 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.066 300 407 886 643 2;
  • 35) 0.066 300 407 886 643 2 × 2 = 0 + 0.132 600 815 773 286 4;
  • 36) 0.132 600 815 773 286 4 × 2 = 0 + 0.265 201 631 546 572 8;
  • 37) 0.265 201 631 546 572 8 × 2 = 0 + 0.530 403 263 093 145 6;
  • 38) 0.530 403 263 093 145 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.060 806 526 186 291 2;
  • 39) 0.060 806 526 186 291 2 × 2 = 0 + 0.121 613 052 372 582 4;
  • 40) 0.121 613 052 372 582 4 × 2 = 0 + 0.243 226 104 745 164 8;
  • 41) 0.243 226 104 745 164 8 × 2 = 0 + 0.486 452 209 490 329 6;
  • 42) 0.486 452 209 490 329 6 × 2 = 0 + 0.972 904 418 980 659 2;
  • 43) 0.972 904 418 980 659 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.945 808 837 961 318 4;
  • 44) 0.945 808 837 961 318 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.891 617 675 922 636 8;
  • 45) 0.891 617 675 922 636 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.783 235 351 845 273 6;
  • 46) 0.783 235 351 845 273 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.566 470 703 690 547 2;
  • 47) 0.566 470 703 690 547 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.132 941 407 381 094 4;
  • 48) 0.132 941 407 381 094 4 × 2 = 0 + 0.265 882 814 762 188 8;
  • 49) 0.265 882 814 762 188 8 × 2 = 0 + 0.531 765 629 524 377 6;
  • 50) 0.531 765 629 524 377 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.063 531 259 048 755 2;
  • 51) 0.063 531 259 048 755 2 × 2 = 0 + 0.127 062 518 097 510 4;
  • 52) 0.127 062 518 097 510 4 × 2 = 0 + 0.254 125 036 195 020 8;
  • 53) 0.254 125 036 195 020 8 × 2 = 0 + 0.508 250 072 390 041 6;

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:


0.123 145 321 678 969 8(10) =


0.0001 1111 1000 0110 0111 0011 1010 1001 0100 0100 0011 1110 0100 0(2)

5. Positive number before normalization:

3.123 145 321 678 969 8(10) =


11.0001 1111 1000 0110 0111 0011 1010 1001 0100 0100 0011 1110 0100 0(2)

6. Normalize the binary representation of the number.

Shift the decimal mark 1 positions to the left, so that only one non zero digit remains to the left of it:


3.123 145 321 678 969 8(10) =


11.0001 1111 1000 0110 0111 0011 1010 1001 0100 0100 0011 1110 0100 0(2) =


11.0001 1111 1000 0110 0111 0011 1010 1001 0100 0100 0011 1110 0100 0(2) × 20 =


1.1000 1111 1100 0011 0011 1001 1101 0100 1010 0010 0001 1111 0010 00(2) × 21


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): 1


Mantissa (not normalized):
1.1000 1111 1100 0011 0011 1001 1101 0100 1010 0010 0001 1111 0010 00


8. Adjust the exponent.

Use the 11 bit excess/bias notation:


Exponent (adjusted) =


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


1 + 2(11-1) - 1 =


(1 + 1 023)(10) =


1 024(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;
  • 1 024 ÷ 2 = 512 + 0;
  • 512 ÷ 2 = 256 + 0;
  • 256 ÷ 2 = 128 + 0;
  • 128 ÷ 2 = 64 + 0;
  • 64 ÷ 2 = 32 + 0;
  • 32 ÷ 2 = 16 + 0;
  • 16 ÷ 2 = 8 + 0;
  • 8 ÷ 2 = 4 + 0;
  • 4 ÷ 2 = 2 + 0;
  • 2 ÷ 2 = 1 + 0;
  • 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) =


1024(10) =


100 0000 0000(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. 1000 1111 1100 0011 0011 1001 1101 0100 1010 0010 0001 1111 0010 00 =


1000 1111 1100 0011 0011 1001 1101 0100 1010 0010 0001 1111 0010


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) =
100 0000 0000


Mantissa (52 bits) =
1000 1111 1100 0011 0011 1001 1101 0100 1010 0010 0001 1111 0010


Decimal number 3.123 145 321 678 969 8 converted to 64 bit double precision IEEE 754 binary floating point representation:

0 - 100 0000 0000 - 1000 1111 1100 0011 0011 1001 1101 0100 1010 0010 0001 1111 0010

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