Difficulty: Medium
Correct Answer: Friday
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
Century years (…1700, 1800, 1900, 2000, …) have distinctive leap-year behavior: only years divisible by 400 are leap years. This shapes which weekdays can occur on year-end dates.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
Across centuries, weekday patterns cycle. For example: 1700-12-31, 1800-12-31, 1900-12-31, 2000-12-31 are known benchmarks generating allowable weekdays. Non-400 centuries shift differently than 400-multiples.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Verification / Alternative check:
Day-counting modulo 7 over 100-year spans shows non-400 centuries shift by +5 weekdays; 400-multiples net a +6 shift within that block, yielding the observed set.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Common Pitfalls:
Final Answer:
Friday
Discussion & Comments