A leap year is a year with 366 days, including an extra day added to February, to keep the calendar year synchronized with the astronomical year. This extra day is added to correct the discrepancy that arises because a calendar year (365 days) is shorter than a solar year (approximately 365.2422 days).

Leap Year Calculations

A leap year is a year that is divisible by four, with the exception of years that are divisible by 100 unless they are also divisible by 400, to synchronize the calendar year with the astronomical year. This adjustment compensates for the fact that a solar year is approximately 365.2425 days long, preventing calendar drift over time.

Leap Year

Year with 366 days

Extra day added to February

A calendar year is a one-year period that begins on January 1st and ends on December 31st, used for organizing schedules, events, and accounting in most of the world. It aligns with the Gregorian calendar, which is the internationally accepted civil calendar, and plays a crucial role in timekeeping, planning, and cultural observances.

Calendar Year

An astronomical year, also known as a sidereal year, is the time it takes for Earth to complete one orbit around the Sun relative to fixed stars, approximately 365.25636 days. This period is slightly longer than a calendar year due to Earth's axial precession and orbital dynamics, affecting the alignment of seasons over millennia.

Astronomical Year

Discrepancy refers to the difference or inconsistency between two or more elements, such as expectations and reality, measurements, or observed and theoretical values. It is a critical concept in various fields, serving as a basis for analysis, error detection, and improvement in processes or systems.

Discrepancy

A solar year, also known as a tropical year, is the time it takes for the Earth to complete one orbit around the Sun, measured relative to the equinoxes, averaging about 365.242 days. This period is fundamental to the Gregorian calendar, which is designed to align with the solar year to ensure seasonal consistency over long periods.

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