During operation of an encoder, a signal vector (x) is received. A first multi-precision operand (Ψ′k) will be generated based on the signal vector to be encoded. A mantissa operand and an exponent operand are generated. Both the mantissa operand and the exponent operand are representative of a second multi-precision operand that is based on the signal vector to be encoded. A portion of Ψ′k is selected to be modified based on the exponent operand. A part of Ψ′k is modified based on the mantissa operand to produce a modified multi-precision operand (Ψ′k+1). Finally, a multi-precision codeword is generated for use in a corresponding decoder.