Computus

High school (ages 12+)
Mathematics & Numbers

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/computus

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the associated dating system?Anno Domini (AD), counting years from the estimated birth of Jesus Christ
2. What is Computus and why was it created?Computus is an ancient math trick that helps people figure out when Easter happens each year. It was created so all Christians could celebrate Easter on the same day.
3. How does Computus decide the date of Easter?It looks for the Sunday after the first full moon that falls on or after March 21, the fixed date of the spring equinox. It uses special tables and cycles to find that full moon.

Ecclesiastical Full Moon: A calculated date of the full moon used for liturgical purposes, not necessarily the astronomical event.
Paschal Cycle: A period of years used to calculate the date of Easter, often based on lunar cycles.
Anno Domini (AD): A system of numbering years from the traditionally reckoned year of Jesus Christ's birth.
Epact: The age of the moon, in days, on a particular day of the year (typically March 21st).