A data processing apparatus includes difference circuitry that calculates a difference between exponents of a first floating-point operand and a second floating-point operand. Shift circuitry generates a fractional string by shifting fractional bits of a selected operand of the first floating-point operand and the second floating-point operand based on the difference. Logic circuitry generates an integer-bit string representing an integer-bit of the selected operand having been shifted based on the difference. Combining circuitry combines the fractional string and the integer-bit string to produce a significand string representing the selected operand having been shifted based on the difference. The logic circuitry generates the integer-bit string using operations other than shifting.