The 17th century refers to which years?

• A. The years 1600 - 1699.
• B. The years 1500 - 1599.
• C. The years 1700 - 1799.
• D. The years 1800 - 1899.

Answer: (A)

Centuries are 100-year blocks. We count from the year 1, so the 1st century is 1–100, the 2nd is 101–200, and so on. The 17th century is the 100-year span from 1601 through 1700. That’s why years like 1600 belong to the 16th century, not the 17th, and 1700 is included as the last year of the 17th century. The period 1600–1699 would miss the year 1700 and include 1600, which isn’t how the 17th century is traditionally defined. The other options refer to centuries much earlier or later.