55.111 111 110 43 Converted to 64 Bit Double Precision IEEE 754 Binary Floating Point Representation Standard

Convert decimal 55.111 111 110 43(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
55.111 111 110 43(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: 55.
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;
  • 55 ÷ 2 = 27 + 1;
  • 27 ÷ 2 = 13 + 1;
  • 13 ÷ 2 = 6 + 1;
  • 6 ÷ 2 = 3 + 0;
  • 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.

55(10) =


11 0111(2)


3. Convert to binary (base 2) the fractional part: 0.111 111 110 43.

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) 0.111 111 110 43 × 2 = 0 + 0.222 222 220 86;
  • 2) 0.222 222 220 86 × 2 = 0 + 0.444 444 441 72;
  • 3) 0.444 444 441 72 × 2 = 0 + 0.888 888 883 44;
  • 4) 0.888 888 883 44 × 2 = 1 + 0.777 777 766 88;
  • 5) 0.777 777 766 88 × 2 = 1 + 0.555 555 533 76;
  • 6) 0.555 555 533 76 × 2 = 1 + 0.111 111 067 52;
  • 7) 0.111 111 067 52 × 2 = 0 + 0.222 222 135 04;
  • 8) 0.222 222 135 04 × 2 = 0 + 0.444 444 270 08;
  • 9) 0.444 444 270 08 × 2 = 0 + 0.888 888 540 16;
  • 10) 0.888 888 540 16 × 2 = 1 + 0.777 777 080 32;
  • 11) 0.777 777 080 32 × 2 = 1 + 0.555 554 160 64;
  • 12) 0.555 554 160 64 × 2 = 1 + 0.111 108 321 28;
  • 13) 0.111 108 321 28 × 2 = 0 + 0.222 216 642 56;
  • 14) 0.222 216 642 56 × 2 = 0 + 0.444 433 285 12;
  • 15) 0.444 433 285 12 × 2 = 0 + 0.888 866 570 24;
  • 16) 0.888 866 570 24 × 2 = 1 + 0.777 733 140 48;
  • 17) 0.777 733 140 48 × 2 = 1 + 0.555 466 280 96;
  • 18) 0.555 466 280 96 × 2 = 1 + 0.110 932 561 92;
  • 19) 0.110 932 561 92 × 2 = 0 + 0.221 865 123 84;
  • 20) 0.221 865 123 84 × 2 = 0 + 0.443 730 247 68;
  • 21) 0.443 730 247 68 × 2 = 0 + 0.887 460 495 36;
  • 22) 0.887 460 495 36 × 2 = 1 + 0.774 920 990 72;
  • 23) 0.774 920 990 72 × 2 = 1 + 0.549 841 981 44;
  • 24) 0.549 841 981 44 × 2 = 1 + 0.099 683 962 88;
  • 25) 0.099 683 962 88 × 2 = 0 + 0.199 367 925 76;
  • 26) 0.199 367 925 76 × 2 = 0 + 0.398 735 851 52;
  • 27) 0.398 735 851 52 × 2 = 0 + 0.797 471 703 04;
  • 28) 0.797 471 703 04 × 2 = 1 + 0.594 943 406 08;
  • 29) 0.594 943 406 08 × 2 = 1 + 0.189 886 812 16;
  • 30) 0.189 886 812 16 × 2 = 0 + 0.379 773 624 32;
  • 31) 0.379 773 624 32 × 2 = 0 + 0.759 547 248 64;
  • 32) 0.759 547 248 64 × 2 = 1 + 0.519 094 497 28;
  • 33) 0.519 094 497 28 × 2 = 1 + 0.038 188 994 56;
  • 34) 0.038 188 994 56 × 2 = 0 + 0.076 377 989 12;
  • 35) 0.076 377 989 12 × 2 = 0 + 0.152 755 978 24;
  • 36) 0.152 755 978 24 × 2 = 0 + 0.305 511 956 48;
  • 37) 0.305 511 956 48 × 2 = 0 + 0.611 023 912 96;
  • 38) 0.611 023 912 96 × 2 = 1 + 0.222 047 825 92;
  • 39) 0.222 047 825 92 × 2 = 0 + 0.444 095 651 84;
  • 40) 0.444 095 651 84 × 2 = 0 + 0.888 191 303 68;
  • 41) 0.888 191 303 68 × 2 = 1 + 0.776 382 607 36;
  • 42) 0.776 382 607 36 × 2 = 1 + 0.552 765 214 72;
  • 43) 0.552 765 214 72 × 2 = 1 + 0.105 530 429 44;
  • 44) 0.105 530 429 44 × 2 = 0 + 0.211 060 858 88;
  • 45) 0.211 060 858 88 × 2 = 0 + 0.422 121 717 76;
  • 46) 0.422 121 717 76 × 2 = 0 + 0.844 243 435 52;
  • 47) 0.844 243 435 52 × 2 = 1 + 0.688 486 871 04;
  • 48) 0.688 486 871 04 × 2 = 1 + 0.376 973 742 08;
  • 49) 0.376 973 742 08 × 2 = 0 + 0.753 947 484 16;
  • 50) 0.753 947 484 16 × 2 = 1 + 0.507 894 968 32;
  • 51) 0.507 894 968 32 × 2 = 1 + 0.015 789 936 64;
  • 52) 0.015 789 936 64 × 2 = 0 + 0.031 579 873 28;
  • 53) 0.031 579 873 28 × 2 = 0 + 0.063 159 746 56;

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:


0.111 111 110 43(10) =


0.0001 1100 0111 0001 1100 0111 0001 1001 1000 0100 1110 0011 0110 0(2)

5. Positive number before normalization:

55.111 111 110 43(10) =


11 0111.0001 1100 0111 0001 1100 0111 0001 1001 1000 0100 1110 0011 0110 0(2)

6. Normalize the binary representation of the number.

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


55.111 111 110 43(10) =


11 0111.0001 1100 0111 0001 1100 0111 0001 1001 1000 0100 1110 0011 0110 0(2) =


11 0111.0001 1100 0111 0001 1100 0111 0001 1001 1000 0100 1110 0011 0110 0(2) × 20 =


1.1011 1000 1110 0011 1000 1110 0011 1000 1100 1100 0010 0111 0001 1011 00(2) × 25


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): 5


Mantissa (not normalized):
1.1011 1000 1110 0011 1000 1110 0011 1000 1100 1100 0010 0111 0001 1011 00


8. 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) =


1 028(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;
  • 1 028 ÷ 2 = 514 + 0;
  • 514 ÷ 2 = 257 + 0;
  • 257 ÷ 2 = 128 + 1;
  • 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) =


1028(10) =


100 0000 0100(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. 1011 1000 1110 0011 1000 1110 0011 1000 1100 1100 0010 0111 0001 10 1100 =


1011 1000 1110 0011 1000 1110 0011 1000 1100 1100 0010 0111 0001


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 0100


Mantissa (52 bits) =
1011 1000 1110 0011 1000 1110 0011 1000 1100 1100 0010 0111 0001


Decimal number 55.111 111 110 43 converted to 64 bit double precision IEEE 754 binary floating point representation:

0 - 100 0000 0100 - 1011 1000 1110 0011 1000 1110 0011 1000 1100 1100 0010 0111 0001


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