If February 1, 1996 is Wednesday, what day is March 3, 1996?

Question

If February 1, 1996 is Wednesday, what day is March 3, 1996?

1. A. Friday
2. B. Sunday
3. C. Saturday (Correct answer)
4. D. Monday

Correct Answer

Option C — Saturday

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is Saturday.

Key Points

• We are told 1 February 1996 is a Wednesday, and 1996 is a leap year, so February has 29 days.
• From 1 February to 1 March is exactly 29 days.
• Since 29 ÷ 7 leaves a remainder of 1 odd day, 1 March falls one weekday after Wednesday, i.e. Thursday.
• Then from 1 March to 3 March is 2 more days: Thursday → Friday (2 March) → Saturday (3 March).

Exam Tip

• for such calendar problems, count the exact number of days between the dates, divide by 7, and add only the remainder (odd days) to the known day — here the extra 1 odd day plus 2 days lands neatly on Saturday, option (C).

Additional Information

• Count the days elapsed, divide by 7, then advance by the remainder. From 1 February to 1 March in a leap year is 29 days, plus 2 more to reach 3 March — 31 days in total.
• 31 ÷ 7 leaves a remainder of 3, so the answer is Wednesday + 3 = Saturday.
• 1996 is a leap year (divisible by 4 and not a century year), so February has 29 days — the fact the question turns on. Taking 28 days would give Friday, which is the intended trap.
• Century rule: 1900 was not a leap year but 2000 was, because a century year must also be divisible by 400.