55.111 111 111 293 Converted to 64 Bit Double Precision IEEE 754 Binary Floating Point Representation Standard

Convert decimal 55.111 111 111 293(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
55.111 111 111 293(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: 0.111 111 111 293.

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) 0.111 111 111 293 × 2 = 0 + 0.222 222 222 586;
  • 2) 0.222 222 222 586 × 2 = 0 + 0.444 444 445 172;
  • 3) 0.444 444 445 172 × 2 = 0 + 0.888 888 890 344;
  • 4) 0.888 888 890 344 × 2 = 1 + 0.777 777 780 688;
  • 5) 0.777 777 780 688 × 2 = 1 + 0.555 555 561 376;
  • 6) 0.555 555 561 376 × 2 = 1 + 0.111 111 122 752;
  • 7) 0.111 111 122 752 × 2 = 0 + 0.222 222 245 504;
  • 8) 0.222 222 245 504 × 2 = 0 + 0.444 444 491 008;
  • 9) 0.444 444 491 008 × 2 = 0 + 0.888 888 982 016;
  • 10) 0.888 888 982 016 × 2 = 1 + 0.777 777 964 032;
  • 11) 0.777 777 964 032 × 2 = 1 + 0.555 555 928 064;
  • 12) 0.555 555 928 064 × 2 = 1 + 0.111 111 856 128;
  • 13) 0.111 111 856 128 × 2 = 0 + 0.222 223 712 256;
  • 14) 0.222 223 712 256 × 2 = 0 + 0.444 447 424 512;
  • 15) 0.444 447 424 512 × 2 = 0 + 0.888 894 849 024;
  • 16) 0.888 894 849 024 × 2 = 1 + 0.777 789 698 048;
  • 17) 0.777 789 698 048 × 2 = 1 + 0.555 579 396 096;
  • 18) 0.555 579 396 096 × 2 = 1 + 0.111 158 792 192;
  • 19) 0.111 158 792 192 × 2 = 0 + 0.222 317 584 384;
  • 20) 0.222 317 584 384 × 2 = 0 + 0.444 635 168 768;
  • 21) 0.444 635 168 768 × 2 = 0 + 0.889 270 337 536;
  • 22) 0.889 270 337 536 × 2 = 1 + 0.778 540 675 072;
  • 23) 0.778 540 675 072 × 2 = 1 + 0.557 081 350 144;
  • 24) 0.557 081 350 144 × 2 = 1 + 0.114 162 700 288;
  • 25) 0.114 162 700 288 × 2 = 0 + 0.228 325 400 576;
  • 26) 0.228 325 400 576 × 2 = 0 + 0.456 650 801 152;
  • 27) 0.456 650 801 152 × 2 = 0 + 0.913 301 602 304;
  • 28) 0.913 301 602 304 × 2 = 1 + 0.826 603 204 608;
  • 29) 0.826 603 204 608 × 2 = 1 + 0.653 206 409 216;
  • 30) 0.653 206 409 216 × 2 = 1 + 0.306 412 818 432;
  • 31) 0.306 412 818 432 × 2 = 0 + 0.612 825 636 864;
  • 32) 0.612 825 636 864 × 2 = 1 + 0.225 651 273 728;
  • 33) 0.225 651 273 728 × 2 = 0 + 0.451 302 547 456;
  • 34) 0.451 302 547 456 × 2 = 0 + 0.902 605 094 912;
  • 35) 0.902 605 094 912 × 2 = 1 + 0.805 210 189 824;
  • 36) 0.805 210 189 824 × 2 = 1 + 0.610 420 379 648;
  • 37) 0.610 420 379 648 × 2 = 1 + 0.220 840 759 296;
  • 38) 0.220 840 759 296 × 2 = 0 + 0.441 681 518 592;
  • 39) 0.441 681 518 592 × 2 = 0 + 0.883 363 037 184;
  • 40) 0.883 363 037 184 × 2 = 1 + 0.766 726 074 368;
  • 41) 0.766 726 074 368 × 2 = 1 + 0.533 452 148 736;
  • 42) 0.533 452 148 736 × 2 = 1 + 0.066 904 297 472;
  • 43) 0.066 904 297 472 × 2 = 0 + 0.133 808 594 944;
  • 44) 0.133 808 594 944 × 2 = 0 + 0.267 617 189 888;
  • 45) 0.267 617 189 888 × 2 = 0 + 0.535 234 379 776;
  • 46) 0.535 234 379 776 × 2 = 1 + 0.070 468 759 552;
  • 47) 0.070 468 759 552 × 2 = 0 + 0.140 937 519 104;
  • 48) 0.140 937 519 104 × 2 = 0 + 0.281 875 038 208;
  • 49) 0.281 875 038 208 × 2 = 0 + 0.563 750 076 416;
  • 50) 0.563 750 076 416 × 2 = 1 + 0.127 500 152 832;
  • 51) 0.127 500 152 832 × 2 = 0 + 0.255 000 305 664;
  • 52) 0.255 000 305 664 × 2 = 0 + 0.510 000 611 328;
  • 53) 0.510 000 611 328 × 2 = 1 + 0.020 001 222 656;

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:


0.111 111 111 293(10) =


0.0001 1100 0111 0001 1100 0111 0001 1101 0011 1001 1100 0100 0100 1(2)

5. Positive number before normalization:

55.111 111 111 293(10) =


11 0111.0001 1100 0111 0001 1100 0111 0001 1101 0011 1001 1100 0100 0100 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:


55.111 111 111 293(10) =


11 0111.0001 1100 0111 0001 1100 0111 0001 1101 0011 1001 1100 0100 0100 1(2) =


11 0111.0001 1100 0111 0001 1100 0111 0001 1101 0011 1001 1100 0100 0100 1(2) × 20 =


1.1011 1000 1110 0011 1000 1110 0011 1000 1110 1001 1100 1110 0010 0010 01(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 1001 1100 1110 0010 0010 01


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 1001 1100 1110 0010 00 1001 =


1011 1000 1110 0011 1000 1110 0011 1000 1110 1001 1100 1110 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 0100


Mantissa (52 bits) =
1011 1000 1110 0011 1000 1110 0011 1000 1110 1001 1100 1110 0010


Decimal number 55.111 111 111 293 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 1001 1100 1110 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