Abstract: A leading 0/1 anticipator (LZA) generates a signal representing the exact number of leading non-significant binary digits in the significand of the result of an addition of two floating point numbers. The exact number is provided because the LZA takes into account all the carries of the addition operation providing the significand of the result. The signal generated by the LZA is used for normalization as a shift amount by which the significand of the result is shifted. The signal is generated as a binary number, that is, as a plurality of binary signals each of which represents one binary digit of the number of the leading non-significant digits. In some floating point addition operations, the LZA receives a signal representing a maximum value of the number of non-significant digits that can be eliminated. The shift amount generated by the LZA does not exceed this maximum value. Taking into account the maximum value does not create an additional delay.