55.111 111 111 114 94 Converted to 64 Bit Double Precision IEEE 754 Binary Floating Point Representation Standard

Convert decimal 55.111 111 111 114 94(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
55.111 111 111 114 94(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: 0.111 111 111 114 94.

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) 0.111 111 111 114 94 × 2 = 0 + 0.222 222 222 229 88;
  • 2) 0.222 222 222 229 88 × 2 = 0 + 0.444 444 444 459 76;
  • 3) 0.444 444 444 459 76 × 2 = 0 + 0.888 888 888 919 52;
  • 4) 0.888 888 888 919 52 × 2 = 1 + 0.777 777 777 839 04;
  • 5) 0.777 777 777 839 04 × 2 = 1 + 0.555 555 555 678 08;
  • 6) 0.555 555 555 678 08 × 2 = 1 + 0.111 111 111 356 16;
  • 7) 0.111 111 111 356 16 × 2 = 0 + 0.222 222 222 712 32;
  • 8) 0.222 222 222 712 32 × 2 = 0 + 0.444 444 445 424 64;
  • 9) 0.444 444 445 424 64 × 2 = 0 + 0.888 888 890 849 28;
  • 10) 0.888 888 890 849 28 × 2 = 1 + 0.777 777 781 698 56;
  • 11) 0.777 777 781 698 56 × 2 = 1 + 0.555 555 563 397 12;
  • 12) 0.555 555 563 397 12 × 2 = 1 + 0.111 111 126 794 24;
  • 13) 0.111 111 126 794 24 × 2 = 0 + 0.222 222 253 588 48;
  • 14) 0.222 222 253 588 48 × 2 = 0 + 0.444 444 507 176 96;
  • 15) 0.444 444 507 176 96 × 2 = 0 + 0.888 889 014 353 92;
  • 16) 0.888 889 014 353 92 × 2 = 1 + 0.777 778 028 707 84;
  • 17) 0.777 778 028 707 84 × 2 = 1 + 0.555 556 057 415 68;
  • 18) 0.555 556 057 415 68 × 2 = 1 + 0.111 112 114 831 36;
  • 19) 0.111 112 114 831 36 × 2 = 0 + 0.222 224 229 662 72;
  • 20) 0.222 224 229 662 72 × 2 = 0 + 0.444 448 459 325 44;
  • 21) 0.444 448 459 325 44 × 2 = 0 + 0.888 896 918 650 88;
  • 22) 0.888 896 918 650 88 × 2 = 1 + 0.777 793 837 301 76;
  • 23) 0.777 793 837 301 76 × 2 = 1 + 0.555 587 674 603 52;
  • 24) 0.555 587 674 603 52 × 2 = 1 + 0.111 175 349 207 04;
  • 25) 0.111 175 349 207 04 × 2 = 0 + 0.222 350 698 414 08;
  • 26) 0.222 350 698 414 08 × 2 = 0 + 0.444 701 396 828 16;
  • 27) 0.444 701 396 828 16 × 2 = 0 + 0.889 402 793 656 32;
  • 28) 0.889 402 793 656 32 × 2 = 1 + 0.778 805 587 312 64;
  • 29) 0.778 805 587 312 64 × 2 = 1 + 0.557 611 174 625 28;
  • 30) 0.557 611 174 625 28 × 2 = 1 + 0.115 222 349 250 56;
  • 31) 0.115 222 349 250 56 × 2 = 0 + 0.230 444 698 501 12;
  • 32) 0.230 444 698 501 12 × 2 = 0 + 0.460 889 397 002 24;
  • 33) 0.460 889 397 002 24 × 2 = 0 + 0.921 778 794 004 48;
  • 34) 0.921 778 794 004 48 × 2 = 1 + 0.843 557 588 008 96;
  • 35) 0.843 557 588 008 96 × 2 = 1 + 0.687 115 176 017 92;
  • 36) 0.687 115 176 017 92 × 2 = 1 + 0.374 230 352 035 84;
  • 37) 0.374 230 352 035 84 × 2 = 0 + 0.748 460 704 071 68;
  • 38) 0.748 460 704 071 68 × 2 = 1 + 0.496 921 408 143 36;
  • 39) 0.496 921 408 143 36 × 2 = 0 + 0.993 842 816 286 72;
  • 40) 0.993 842 816 286 72 × 2 = 1 + 0.987 685 632 573 44;
  • 41) 0.987 685 632 573 44 × 2 = 1 + 0.975 371 265 146 88;
  • 42) 0.975 371 265 146 88 × 2 = 1 + 0.950 742 530 293 76;
  • 43) 0.950 742 530 293 76 × 2 = 1 + 0.901 485 060 587 52;
  • 44) 0.901 485 060 587 52 × 2 = 1 + 0.802 970 121 175 04;
  • 45) 0.802 970 121 175 04 × 2 = 1 + 0.605 940 242 350 08;
  • 46) 0.605 940 242 350 08 × 2 = 1 + 0.211 880 484 700 16;
  • 47) 0.211 880 484 700 16 × 2 = 0 + 0.423 760 969 400 32;
  • 48) 0.423 760 969 400 32 × 2 = 0 + 0.847 521 938 800 64;
  • 49) 0.847 521 938 800 64 × 2 = 1 + 0.695 043 877 601 28;
  • 50) 0.695 043 877 601 28 × 2 = 1 + 0.390 087 755 202 56;
  • 51) 0.390 087 755 202 56 × 2 = 0 + 0.780 175 510 405 12;
  • 52) 0.780 175 510 405 12 × 2 = 1 + 0.560 351 020 810 24;
  • 53) 0.560 351 020 810 24 × 2 = 1 + 0.120 702 041 620 48;

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:


0.111 111 111 114 94(10) =


0.0001 1100 0111 0001 1100 0111 0001 1100 0111 0101 1111 1100 1101 1(2)

5. Positive number before normalization:

55.111 111 111 114 94(10) =


11 0111.0001 1100 0111 0001 1100 0111 0001 1100 0111 0101 1111 1100 1101 1(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:


55.111 111 111 114 94(10) =


11 0111.0001 1100 0111 0001 1100 0111 0001 1100 0111 0101 1111 1100 1101 1(2) =


11 0111.0001 1100 0111 0001 1100 0111 0001 1100 0111 0101 1111 1100 1101 1(2) × 20 =


1.1011 1000 1110 0011 1000 1110 0011 1000 1110 0011 1010 1111 1110 0110 11(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 0011 1010 1111 1110 0110 11


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 0011 1010 1111 1110 01 1011 =


1011 1000 1110 0011 1000 1110 0011 1000 1110 0011 1010 1111 1110


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 0011 1010 1111 1110


Decimal number 55.111 111 111 114 94 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 0011 1010 1111 1110


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