What was the first day of the year 1776?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
Odd days up to the year 1600:
The number of odd days in 1600 years is 0 (since it is a multiple of 400).
From the year 1601 to 1700 (100 years):
The number of odd days in 100 years is 5.
3. From the year 1701 to 1775 (75 years):
Leap years in these 75 years: 75 ÷ 4 = 18 leap years.
Ordinary years: 75 - 18 = 57 ordinary years.
Odd days = (18 x 2) + (57 x 1) = 36 + 57 = 93 days.
Upon dividing 93 by 7, the remainder (odd days) = 2.
Total odd days (up to December 31, 1775):
Total odd days = 0 (1600) + 5 (1700) + 2 (1775) = 7 odd days.
7 odd days implies 0 odd days (since the remainder is 0 when 7 is divided by 7).
The day of January 1, 1776:
Since there were a total of 0 odd days up to December 31, 1775, this means that that day was a Sunday.
Therefore, the following day—that is, January 1, 1776—will be a Monday.