How to Find Out if a Year is a Leap Year: 7 Steps

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How to Find Out if a Year is a Leap Year: 7 Steps
How to Find Out if a Year is a Leap Year: 7 Steps

Video: How to Find Out if a Year is a Leap Year: 7 Steps

Video: How to Find Out if a Year is a Leap Year: 7 Steps
Video: How to Quickly Check if a Year is a Leap Year in C 2024, March
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Leap year is a phenomenon used to "control" excess hours every 48 months. Each normal year has 365, 24 days; this means that, every four years, the "overtime" hours accumulate and form the 366O day. It's easy to determine when the phenomenon happens, but you can memorize some techniques that will make your life easier. Finally, if you prefer, consult a physical or virtual calendar!

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Making the division

Calculate Leap Years Step 1
Calculate Leap Years Step 1

Step 1. Choose which year you want to use

It is quite easy to determine whether a year that has passed or will pass or even the current one is a leap year.

For example: determine 1997 or 2012 (which have already passed), 2019 (the current one), or 2025 or 2028 (which are to come)

Calculate Leap Years Step 2
Calculate Leap Years Step 2

Step 2. Determine if the number is divisible by 4

For this, the year has to generate an integer value when divided by 4. Otherwise, it is not leap.

  • For example: 1997 / 4 = 499, 25. Since the value has a decimal point, the year was not a leap year.
  • On the other hand, 2012 divided by 4 equals 503, whole number. Therefore, 2012 was probably leap.
Calculate Leap Years Step 3
Calculate Leap Years Step 3

Step 3. Confirm that the number is not divisible by 100

The year is a leap year when it is divisible by 4 but not by 100. However, even if it is divisible by the two, you still need to do one more count.

  • For example: 2012 is divisible by 4 but not 100 (since the result is 20, 12). Therefore, 2012 was leap.
  • 2000 is divisible by 4 and by 100 as it yields the result 20. As such, 2000 may not have been leap - and you have to do one more calculation to find out.
Calculate Leap Years Step 4
Calculate Leap Years Step 4

Step 4. Determine if the number is divisible by 400 to find out if the year is a leap year

The year not it is leap when it is divisible by 100, but not by 400. If both statements are true, it is leap.

  • For example: 1900 is divisible by 100 but not 400 (the result is 4, 75). Therefore, 1900 was not a leap.
  • On the other hand, 2000 is divisible by 100 and 400 (the result is 5) and, therefore, it was leap.

Tip: Use an internet leap year calculator if you are having difficulty with the accounts.

Method 2 of 2: Querying a Calendar

Calculate Leap Years Step 5
Calculate Leap Years Step 5

Step 1. Find the year on a calendar

To get started, identify the year you want to find out if it's a leap year on a physical calendar or on the internet. It's easier when you search on Google.

  • For example, if you want to find out if 2016 was a leap, check that year's calendar.
  • If you want to know if 2021 is going to be a leap, do an internet search.
Calculate Leap Years Step 6
Calculate Leap Years Step 6

Step 2. Check the month of February of the year and see if it has 29 days

A leap year is when the month of February has an extra day (since it is the shortest month on the calendar). Check his page and see if you can find something different. If so, it is because the phenomenon occurs.

The year is not a leap year when February is only 28 days old

Calculate Leap Years Step 7
Calculate Leap Years Step 7

Step 3. Remember that the phenomenon repeats itself every four years

Every year there are 365 days and about six hours. Those six hours end up accumulating over four years and therefore generate an extra day - February 29th. You can count the last occurrence of the phenomenon to know when it repeats.

For example: as 2016 was a leap year, add another four years to reach 2020

Tip: Remember that sometimes eight years go by without a leap year because there are less than six overtime hours every 12 months - it's 5 hours, 48 minutes and 46 seconds. That's why it's better to do the math rather than "kick" the number.

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