55.111 111 111 092 1 Converted to 64 Bit Double Precision IEEE 754 Binary Floating Point Representation Standard

Convert decimal 55.111 111 111 092 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
55.111 111 111 092 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. 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: 0.111 111 111 092 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) 0.111 111 111 092 1 × 2 = 0 + 0.222 222 222 184 2;
  • 2) 0.222 222 222 184 2 × 2 = 0 + 0.444 444 444 368 4;
  • 3) 0.444 444 444 368 4 × 2 = 0 + 0.888 888 888 736 8;
  • 4) 0.888 888 888 736 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.777 777 777 473 6;
  • 5) 0.777 777 777 473 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.555 555 554 947 2;
  • 6) 0.555 555 554 947 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.111 111 109 894 4;
  • 7) 0.111 111 109 894 4 × 2 = 0 + 0.222 222 219 788 8;
  • 8) 0.222 222 219 788 8 × 2 = 0 + 0.444 444 439 577 6;
  • 9) 0.444 444 439 577 6 × 2 = 0 + 0.888 888 879 155 2;
  • 10) 0.888 888 879 155 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.777 777 758 310 4;
  • 11) 0.777 777 758 310 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.555 555 516 620 8;
  • 12) 0.555 555 516 620 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.111 111 033 241 6;
  • 13) 0.111 111 033 241 6 × 2 = 0 + 0.222 222 066 483 2;
  • 14) 0.222 222 066 483 2 × 2 = 0 + 0.444 444 132 966 4;
  • 15) 0.444 444 132 966 4 × 2 = 0 + 0.888 888 265 932 8;
  • 16) 0.888 888 265 932 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.777 776 531 865 6;
  • 17) 0.777 776 531 865 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.555 553 063 731 2;
  • 18) 0.555 553 063 731 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.111 106 127 462 4;
  • 19) 0.111 106 127 462 4 × 2 = 0 + 0.222 212 254 924 8;
  • 20) 0.222 212 254 924 8 × 2 = 0 + 0.444 424 509 849 6;
  • 21) 0.444 424 509 849 6 × 2 = 0 + 0.888 849 019 699 2;
  • 22) 0.888 849 019 699 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.777 698 039 398 4;
  • 23) 0.777 698 039 398 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.555 396 078 796 8;
  • 24) 0.555 396 078 796 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.110 792 157 593 6;
  • 25) 0.110 792 157 593 6 × 2 = 0 + 0.221 584 315 187 2;
  • 26) 0.221 584 315 187 2 × 2 = 0 + 0.443 168 630 374 4;
  • 27) 0.443 168 630 374 4 × 2 = 0 + 0.886 337 260 748 8;
  • 28) 0.886 337 260 748 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.772 674 521 497 6;
  • 29) 0.772 674 521 497 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.545 349 042 995 2;
  • 30) 0.545 349 042 995 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.090 698 085 990 4;
  • 31) 0.090 698 085 990 4 × 2 = 0 + 0.181 396 171 980 8;
  • 32) 0.181 396 171 980 8 × 2 = 0 + 0.362 792 343 961 6;
  • 33) 0.362 792 343 961 6 × 2 = 0 + 0.725 584 687 923 2;
  • 34) 0.725 584 687 923 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.451 169 375 846 4;
  • 35) 0.451 169 375 846 4 × 2 = 0 + 0.902 338 751 692 8;
  • 36) 0.902 338 751 692 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.804 677 503 385 6;
  • 37) 0.804 677 503 385 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.609 355 006 771 2;
  • 38) 0.609 355 006 771 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.218 710 013 542 4;
  • 39) 0.218 710 013 542 4 × 2 = 0 + 0.437 420 027 084 8;
  • 40) 0.437 420 027 084 8 × 2 = 0 + 0.874 840 054 169 6;
  • 41) 0.874 840 054 169 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.749 680 108 339 2;
  • 42) 0.749 680 108 339 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.499 360 216 678 4;
  • 43) 0.499 360 216 678 4 × 2 = 0 + 0.998 720 433 356 8;
  • 44) 0.998 720 433 356 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.997 440 866 713 6;
  • 45) 0.997 440 866 713 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.994 881 733 427 2;
  • 46) 0.994 881 733 427 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.989 763 466 854 4;
  • 47) 0.989 763 466 854 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.979 526 933 708 8;
  • 48) 0.979 526 933 708 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.959 053 867 417 6;
  • 49) 0.959 053 867 417 6 × 2 = 1 + 0.918 107 734 835 2;
  • 50) 0.918 107 734 835 2 × 2 = 1 + 0.836 215 469 670 4;
  • 51) 0.836 215 469 670 4 × 2 = 1 + 0.672 430 939 340 8;
  • 52) 0.672 430 939 340 8 × 2 = 1 + 0.344 861 878 681 6;
  • 53) 0.344 861 878 681 6 × 2 = 0 + 0.689 723 757 363 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).


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:


0.111 111 111 092 1(10) =


0.0001 1100 0111 0001 1100 0111 0001 1100 0101 1100 1101 1111 1111 0(2)

5. Positive number before normalization:

55.111 111 111 092 1(10) =


11 0111.0001 1100 0111 0001 1100 0111 0001 1100 0101 1100 1101 1111 1111 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:


55.111 111 111 092 1(10) =


11 0111.0001 1100 0111 0001 1100 0111 0001 1100 0101 1100 1101 1111 1111 0(2) =


11 0111.0001 1100 0111 0001 1100 0111 0001 1100 0101 1100 1101 1111 1111 0(2) × 20 =


1.1011 1000 1110 0011 1000 1110 0011 1000 1110 0010 1110 0110 1111 1111 10(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 1110 0010 1110 0110 1111 1111 10


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 1110 0010 1110 0110 1111 11 1110 =


1011 1000 1110 0011 1000 1110 0011 1000 1110 0010 1110 0110 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) =
100 0000 0100


Mantissa (52 bits) =
1011 1000 1110 0011 1000 1110 0011 1000 1110 0010 1110 0110 1111


Decimal number 55.111 111 111 092 1 converted to 64 bit double precision IEEE 754 binary floating point representation:

0 - 100 0000 0100 - 1011 1000 1110 0011 1000 1110 0011 1000 1110 0010 1110 0110 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