Century boundaries — If the 1st day of a century is Thursday, the 1st day of the next century must be which weekday?
Aptitude
Calendar
Difficulty: Medium
Choose an option
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AMonday or Tuesday
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BSunday or Monday
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CTuesday or Wednesday
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DNone of these
Answer
Correct Answer: Tuesday or Wednesday
Explanation
Introduction / Context:Weekday shifts over 100 years differ depending on whether the century year at the end of the block is a leap year (divisible by 400) or not. This dictates what the next century's first day can be.
Given Data / Assumptions:
- Current century starts on Thursday.
- Next century begins 100 years later.
- Only years divisible by 400 are leap years among the centuries.
Concept / Approach:Over a 100-year span, the weekday advances by +5 if the closing century is not a 400-multiple; if it is a 400-multiple, the net shift is +6 (one extra leap day). Starting from Thursday, +5 → Tuesday; +6 → Wednesday.
Step-by-Step Solution:
1) Compute weekday shift across 100 years.2) Non-400 century: +5 → Thursday + 5 = Tuesday.3) 400-multiple century: +6 → Thursday + 6 = Wednesday.Verification / Alternative check:Historical patterns of 1700→1800 and 1600→1700 illustrate the +5 vs +6 behavior.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
- Other pairs do not correspond to the possible +5/+6 shifts from Thursday.
Common Pitfalls:
- Treating every century as leap; only 400-multiples are.
Final Answer:Tuesday or Wednesday