Can someone please explain to me how a 'leap year' works?

Guru???

Basically the year is actually about 365.25 days long so every fourth year we would be a day out. They add the day to bring us back on track. Tnis is not completely accurate and they make additional corections every 400 years (I think)when they drop the extra day. Mar 27 03, 10:38 PM

Baloo55th

Basically, if you can divide the last two figures by 4, it's a leap year. Unless they're 00. In which case the following rule applies: Divide the first two by 4 - if an even answer, yes it {is;} if uneven - no it isn't. So 2000 was, but 1900 wasn't. In leap years on February 29th, girls have the unofficial right to propose marriage to the fellow of their choice. He has the even more unofficial right to run like hell. Mar 27 03, 11:43 PM

sequoianoir

Baloo55th, I think you got your wires crossed somwhere in your explanation of the '00' rule. Quote: 'Divide the first two by 4 - if an even answer, yes it {is;} if uneven - no it isn't. So 2000 was, but 1900 wasn't' If you think about it - 2000 - 1st 2 digits = 20 - divide by 4 = 5 5 is NOT EVEN but yes it was a leap year. I believe you meant to say that if it divides exactly (ie a whole number of times/ no fractions) (this is an integer) then it is a leap year. I prefer to remember this 'extra rule' by the much simpler: 'If the year can be divided by 100 then it is not a leap year UNLESS it can be divided by 400' Mar 27 03, 11:54 PM

Baloo55th

Sorry, I meant 'whole number' - I was thinking of an even division! Sorry, LOTtie! Hope I've not confused you more! Why am I putting so many exclamation marks in here?! Mar 28 03, 12:02 AM