3.333 333 333 461 Converted to 64 Bit Double Precision IEEE 754 Binary Floating Point Representation Standard

Convert decimal 3.333 333 333 461(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
3.333 333 333 461(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: 0.333 333 333 461.

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) 0.333 333 333 461 × 2 = 0 + 0.666 666 666 922;
  • 2) 0.666 666 666 922 × 2 = 1 + 0.333 333 333 844;
  • 3) 0.333 333 333 844 × 2 = 0 + 0.666 666 667 688;
  • 4) 0.666 666 667 688 × 2 = 1 + 0.333 333 335 376;
  • 5) 0.333 333 335 376 × 2 = 0 + 0.666 666 670 752;
  • 6) 0.666 666 670 752 × 2 = 1 + 0.333 333 341 504;
  • 7) 0.333 333 341 504 × 2 = 0 + 0.666 666 683 008;
  • 8) 0.666 666 683 008 × 2 = 1 + 0.333 333 366 016;
  • 9) 0.333 333 366 016 × 2 = 0 + 0.666 666 732 032;
  • 10) 0.666 666 732 032 × 2 = 1 + 0.333 333 464 064;
  • 11) 0.333 333 464 064 × 2 = 0 + 0.666 666 928 128;
  • 12) 0.666 666 928 128 × 2 = 1 + 0.333 333 856 256;
  • 13) 0.333 333 856 256 × 2 = 0 + 0.666 667 712 512;
  • 14) 0.666 667 712 512 × 2 = 1 + 0.333 335 425 024;
  • 15) 0.333 335 425 024 × 2 = 0 + 0.666 670 850 048;
  • 16) 0.666 670 850 048 × 2 = 1 + 0.333 341 700 096;
  • 17) 0.333 341 700 096 × 2 = 0 + 0.666 683 400 192;
  • 18) 0.666 683 400 192 × 2 = 1 + 0.333 366 800 384;
  • 19) 0.333 366 800 384 × 2 = 0 + 0.666 733 600 768;
  • 20) 0.666 733 600 768 × 2 = 1 + 0.333 467 201 536;
  • 21) 0.333 467 201 536 × 2 = 0 + 0.666 934 403 072;
  • 22) 0.666 934 403 072 × 2 = 1 + 0.333 868 806 144;
  • 23) 0.333 868 806 144 × 2 = 0 + 0.667 737 612 288;
  • 24) 0.667 737 612 288 × 2 = 1 + 0.335 475 224 576;
  • 25) 0.335 475 224 576 × 2 = 0 + 0.670 950 449 152;
  • 26) 0.670 950 449 152 × 2 = 1 + 0.341 900 898 304;
  • 27) 0.341 900 898 304 × 2 = 0 + 0.683 801 796 608;
  • 28) 0.683 801 796 608 × 2 = 1 + 0.367 603 593 216;
  • 29) 0.367 603 593 216 × 2 = 0 + 0.735 207 186 432;
  • 30) 0.735 207 186 432 × 2 = 1 + 0.470 414 372 864;
  • 31) 0.470 414 372 864 × 2 = 0 + 0.940 828 745 728;
  • 32) 0.940 828 745 728 × 2 = 1 + 0.881 657 491 456;
  • 33) 0.881 657 491 456 × 2 = 1 + 0.763 314 982 912;
  • 34) 0.763 314 982 912 × 2 = 1 + 0.526 629 965 824;
  • 35) 0.526 629 965 824 × 2 = 1 + 0.053 259 931 648;
  • 36) 0.053 259 931 648 × 2 = 0 + 0.106 519 863 296;
  • 37) 0.106 519 863 296 × 2 = 0 + 0.213 039 726 592;
  • 38) 0.213 039 726 592 × 2 = 0 + 0.426 079 453 184;
  • 39) 0.426 079 453 184 × 2 = 0 + 0.852 158 906 368;
  • 40) 0.852 158 906 368 × 2 = 1 + 0.704 317 812 736;
  • 41) 0.704 317 812 736 × 2 = 1 + 0.408 635 625 472;
  • 42) 0.408 635 625 472 × 2 = 0 + 0.817 271 250 944;
  • 43) 0.817 271 250 944 × 2 = 1 + 0.634 542 501 888;
  • 44) 0.634 542 501 888 × 2 = 1 + 0.269 085 003 776;
  • 45) 0.269 085 003 776 × 2 = 0 + 0.538 170 007 552;
  • 46) 0.538 170 007 552 × 2 = 1 + 0.076 340 015 104;
  • 47) 0.076 340 015 104 × 2 = 0 + 0.152 680 030 208;
  • 48) 0.152 680 030 208 × 2 = 0 + 0.305 360 060 416;
  • 49) 0.305 360 060 416 × 2 = 0 + 0.610 720 120 832;
  • 50) 0.610 720 120 832 × 2 = 1 + 0.221 440 241 664;
  • 51) 0.221 440 241 664 × 2 = 0 + 0.442 880 483 328;
  • 52) 0.442 880 483 328 × 2 = 0 + 0.885 760 966 656;
  • 53) 0.885 760 966 656 × 2 = 1 + 0.771 521 933 312;

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:


0.333 333 333 461(10) =


0.0101 0101 0101 0101 0101 0101 0101 0101 1110 0001 1011 0100 0100 1(2)

5. Positive number before normalization:

3.333 333 333 461(10) =


11.0101 0101 0101 0101 0101 0101 0101 0101 1110 0001 1011 0100 0100 1(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:


3.333 333 333 461(10) =


11.0101 0101 0101 0101 0101 0101 0101 0101 1110 0001 1011 0100 0100 1(2) =


11.0101 0101 0101 0101 0101 0101 0101 0101 1110 0001 1011 0100 0100 1(2) × 20 =


1.1010 1010 1010 1010 1010 1010 1010 1010 1111 0000 1101 1010 0010 01(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):
1.1010 1010 1010 1010 1010 1010 1010 1010 1111 0000 1101 1010 0010 01


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. 1010 1010 1010 1010 1010 1010 1010 1010 1111 0000 1101 1010 0010 01 =


1010 1010 1010 1010 1010 1010 1010 1010 1111 0000 1101 1010 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) =
1010 1010 1010 1010 1010 1010 1010 1010 1111 0000 1101 1010 0010


Decimal number 3.333 333 333 461 converted to 64 bit double precision IEEE 754 binary floating point representation:

0 - 100 0000 0000 - 1010 1010 1010 1010 1010 1010 1010 1010 1111 0000 1101 1010 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