Because Oct 31 represents the octal (base 8) number 31, which, when converted to decimal, is 25. Dec 25 is short for Decimal 25, thus the two are equal.
Ahhhh – a great nerdy math/programmer joke. The answer is that what appears as dates is really referring to numerical systems. Oct = octal, which is a base 8 numbering system and Dec = decimal, which is base 10.
I agree with surf diva for Oct 31 = Dec 25
I also think that Oct 31 = Dec 25 because October 31 is A holiday, Halloween and December 25 is also a holiday, Christmas
Q: Why do programmers always get Christmas and Halloween mixed up?
A: Because DEC 25 = OCT 31
It’s a common nerdy math/programmer joke.
Octal = 31
Decimal= 3×8¹+1×8⁰ = 25
i think that this is a good joke. 2 years ago my 2 friends lily and emma commented.
Superwhiz Maths Person (also neutral as to not offend those who have a complex of themselves and others) says March 10, 2018 @ 20:50
Funny thing is, both dates are the same too. It is like this:
1) alarm rings
2) wake up, brush teeth
3) stare at computer screen for hours on end
4) toilet break, food, etc
5) stare at computer screen for a few more hours
6) shower
7) bed.
* some intimate details have been left out not to make it too boring or long.
12 Comments on "Oct 31 = Dec 25"
fivebee says
February 7, 2014 @ 22:59
because they’re both fall/winter holidays. 10/31 is halloween and 12/25 is christmas
Jasmine says
November 8, 2014 @ 12:54
Still don’t get it
Surf Diva says
January 25, 2015 @ 23:05
Ahhhh – a great nerdy math/programmer joke. The answer is that what appears as dates is really referring to numerical systems. Oct = octal, which is a base 8 numbering system and Dec = decimal, which is base 10.
It looks like this:
Octal numeration: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13 ,14, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24,25, 26, 27, 30, 31
Decimal numeration: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25
Emma says
May 3, 2015 @ 23:33
Oct 31my 3 quarter birthday and dec25 my eleven twelfth birthday
Lily says
May 4, 2015 @ 21:55
I agree with surf diva for Oct 31 = Dec 25
I also think that Oct 31 = Dec 25 because October 31 is A holiday, Halloween and December 25 is also a holiday, Christmas
Allen says
May 11, 2015 @ 15:23
Awesome riddle!
Christine says
February 2, 2016 @ 09:43
Q: Why do programmers always get Christmas and Halloween mixed up?
A: Because DEC 25 = OCT 31
It’s a common nerdy math/programmer joke.
Octal = 31
Decimal= 3×8¹+1×8⁰ = 25
Bart says
January 15, 2017 @ 19:48
october is the 10th month, december the 12th
31 (mod 10)=1
25 (mod 8)=1
31 october=25 december
elle says
January 26, 2017 @ 23:57
i think that this is a good joke. 2 years ago my 2 friends lily and emma commented.
Superwhiz Maths Person (also neutral as to not offend those who have a complex of themselves and others) says
March 10, 2018 @ 20:50
Funny thing is, both dates are the same too. It is like this:
1) alarm rings
2) wake up, brush teeth
3) stare at computer screen for hours on end
4) toilet break, food, etc
5) stare at computer screen for a few more hours
6) shower
7) bed.
* some intimate details have been left out not to make it too boring or long.
Pizza Bubble says
April 8, 2020 @ 07:33
Surf Diva is 100% right. That’s the only reason.
Howard says
July 24, 2022 @ 18:43
31 oct base= 25 dec base
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