2008 General Studies, all questions
UPSC Prelims 2008 · General Studies
Question 10: Logical Reasoning and Mental Ability
March 1, 2008 was Saturday. Which day was it on March 1, 2002?
aThursday
bFriday
cSaturday
dSunday
AnswerThe answer is (b).
Count the odd days between the two dates. From 1 March 2002 to 1 March 2008 is 6 years, with two leap days (29 February 2004 and 29 February 2008) in between. Total days = 6 x 365 + 2 = 2192. Dividing by 7 leaves a remainder of 1, so 1 March 2008 falls one weekday later than 1 March 2002. One day before Saturday is Friday.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Thursday is two days before Saturday; the shift is only one odd day.
- (b) Saturday minus one odd day is Friday.
- (c) Saturday would need zero odd days, but 2192 days leave one.
- (d) Sunday is after Saturday; the earlier date falls earlier in the week, not later.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2008, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.