Q. March 1, 2008 was Saturday. Which day was it on March 1, 2002? (UPSC Prelims 2008)
Answer:
Friday
Notes: March 1, 2008 was
Saturday. To find the day on
March 1, 2002, we move
backward year by year. Normally, the day shifts
1 day backward each year. However, if a
leap day (Feb 29) occurs between the two dates, the shift becomes
2 days.
Step-by-step:
-
2008 → 2007 : 2 days back (because 2008 is a leap year and Feb 29 occurs before March 1)
-
2007 → 2006 : 1 day back
-
2006 → 2005 : 1 day back
-
2005 → 2004 : 1 day back
-
2004 → 2003 : 2 days back (2004 is a leap year)
-
2003 → 2002 : 1 day back
Total shift = 2 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 1 =
8 days back
Since
7 days make a full week, 8 days back is the same as
1 day back.
Saturday − 1 day =
Friday
Therefore,
March 1, 2002 was Friday.