Century boundaries — If the 1st day of a century is Thursday, the 1st day of the next century must be which weekday?

Difficulty: Medium

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

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