Calendar reasoning – If the 23rd of a month falls on a Sunday, what day was it exactly 2 weeks and 4 additional days earlier?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Wednesday

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
Here we combine a specific calendar date with a composite backward offset: “2 weeks and 4 more days” = 14 + 4 = 18 days earlier. The weekday shift for 18 days is 18 mod 7 = 4 days back. We apply this to the known day for the 23rd.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Day of 23rd = Sunday.
  • Offset: 18 days earlier = 2 weeks (14) + 4 = 18.
  • Week repeats every 7 days; 18 ≡ 4 (mod 7).


Concept / Approach:
Moving back 18 days shifts the weekday back by 4 positions. We do not need the exact date number (which would be 5th), only the weekday arithmetic.


Step-by-Step Solution:

1) Compute 18 mod 7 = 4.2) Move 4 days backward from Sunday: Saturday (−1), Friday (−2), Thursday (−3), Wednesday (−4).3) Therefore, the day 18 days earlier was Wednesday.


Verification / Alternative check:
Count forward instead: From Wednesday, move ahead 18 days. 18 ≡ 4 (mod 7) ⇒ Wednesday + 4 = Sunday—matches the 23rd's day.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:

  • Monday/Tuesday/Thursday: Each is off by one or more steps from the required four-day backward shift.
  • None of these: A listed option (Wednesday) is correct.


Common Pitfalls:
Mistaking “2 weeks and 4 days” for 16 days or 14 days, or moving forward instead of backward. Always compute the mod-7 remainder to minimize counting errors.


Final Answer:
Wednesday

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