Register - Log In


FunTrivia Homepage


  • New Questions

  • Unanswered


  • Post a Question

    • Goto Qn #




    Archives

    Why is every fourth year called a 'leap year?'

    Question #38891. Asked by Hamlet.. (Sep 18 03 6:08 PM)


    mochyn

    		As every year is about 365 and a quarter days,we save the quarters to the 4th year and therefore we leap forward

    Sep 18 03, 6:21 PM
    mochyn

    		this explains it better
    http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leap_year


    Sep 18 03, 6:23 PM
    sequoianoir

    		Quote "we save the quarters to the 4th year and therefore we leap forward "

    Surely we leap "backwards" ???????

    When "tomorrow" would "normally" be March 1st (today Feb 28th) we "delay" it by a day inserting Feb 29.
    If we "leapt forwards" March 1st would be skipped and "tommorow" would be March 2nd, wouldn't it ?

    Sep 18 03, 6:29 PM
    Hamlet.

    		Divide the 365-day typical year by 52 weeks. You will see that there is one additional day. Thus, in nonleap years, if a fixed-date holiday, such as Christmas, was held on a Tuesday, one knew that the next year it would fall on a Wednesday. But in a leap year, the festival would fall two days after the previous year's. This skipping of a day is the "leap" in leap year.

    Sep 18 03, 10:46 PM

    Find something useful here? Please help us spread the word about FunTrivia. Recommend this page below!


    Sign up to see all responses!

    Create a Free ID instantly to see all recent responses, post your own follow-ups or questions, and access over 1,000,000 trivia questions!

    Choose a User Name:
    Your Email Address:
    Choose a Password:

    I agree by the terms outlined in FunTrivia's Conditions of Use




    Other Similar Questions & Answers


    Why does February have "28 days clear and 29 in each leap year" while other months have 30 or 31, and as a corollary, is the year 2100 a leap year?

    When was the first leap year?

    What year is the next leap year?

    Suggested Related FunTrivia Quizzes - 90,000 currently online

    1 The Year That Was
    Each of the following questions will list a number of events that took place in a certain year of the football world. Good luck!
    		Worldwide Football Tough
    10 Q
    silverginger
    Jan 12 06
    516 plays
    2 In the Year 1900
    Welcome to a tour of the year 1900, one which deals with various events that made world news from that year, either then or later. As always, have fun!
    		1900s History Average
    10 Q
    Creedy
    Mar 01 11
    633 plays
    3 The Year Is 1970
    Traveling back in time, here's a short quiz about some things that happened in 1970. Have fun, and let me know how you liked the journey!
    		1970s History Difficult
    10 Q
    cag1970
    May 10 03
    2355 plays




    "Ask FunTrivia" is for entertainment purposes only, and answers offered are unverified and unchecked by FunTrivia. We cannot guarantee the accuracy or veracity of ANY statement posted. Feel free to post an updated response if you feel that an answer is inadequate or incorrect. Please thoroughly research items where accuracy is important to you using multiple reliable sources. By accessing our website, you agree to be bound by our terms of service.