  if ( x < 0.0 )
    sign = -1.0;
  else
    sign = +1.0;
  end
  
  exponent = 0;
  mantissa = abs ( x );
  
  while ( 10.0 <= mantissa )
    mantissa = mantissa / 10.0;
    exponent = esponent + 1;
  end

  while ( mantissa < 1.0 )
    mantissa = mantissa * 10.0;
    exponent = exponent + 1;
  end
  
  sign
  mantissa
  exponent

