The internet is a wild place, full of fascinating things to explore, from hilarious memes to mind-bending puzzles. And sometimes, the simplest things can spark the biggest debates. Take this math question, for example, which has left the internet in a tizzy, with people arguing over the “correct” answer.
The question, originally posted on X (formerly Twitter) by user @yawdmontweet, is deceptively simple:
What is the closest time to midnight?
A. 11:55 a.m.
B. 12:06 a.m.
C. 11:50 a.m.
D. 12:03 a.m.
At first glance, the answer seems pretty straightforward: Option D, 12:03 a.m. After all, midnight is 12:00 a.m., and 12:03 a.m. is only 3 minutes away.
By means of elimination the only answer is 'd' 12:03 am because 11:55 Am is 5 mins to midday, 11:50Am is 10 mins to midday and 12:06 Am is 6 mins past midnight which leave 12:03 am which is only 3 mins past midnight
— Natoya Colbourne (@ColbourneN58735) June 22, 2023
But here’s where the confusion starts. The question asks for the “closest time to” midnight, not the “closest time until” midnight. This subtle difference in wording is where the debate begins.
The key to understanding this riddle lies in the concept of time. In real life, time only moves forward. Once you pass midnight, you can’t go back to it. So, if you’re looking for the closest time to midnight, you need to consider the approaching midnight, not the one that just passed.
Some people argue that the closest time to midnight is actually 11:55 a.m., because it’s the closest time to the next midnight. This makes sense if you’re thinking about the time until the next midnight.
Jah know start diss a hurt mi head pic.twitter.com/ptYFtS9DSx
— Minister of Foolishness 🇯🇲 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@yawdmontweet) June 21, 2023
Others stick with 12:03 a.m., arguing that the question is asking for the closest time to the specific moment of midnight, regardless of whether it’s the past or the future.
Without more information it’s hard to choose the answer. We say time in a clockwise manner which would make A the closest if we are talking about the next midnight. However, it did not state which midnight this D it closest.
— Jiren (@lammy_lams) June 23, 2023
A third group of people takes a more literal approach, arguing that the question is asking for the time that is physically closest to the word “midnight” on a piece of paper. In this case, 11:55 a.m. would be the answer since it’s listed before 12:03 a.m.
The real beauty of this riddle lies in its ability to highlight the importance of context and perspective. The “correct” answer depends on how you interpret the question and what assumptions you make.
Even ChatGPT, the powerful AI language model, has been called upon to settle this debate. ChatGPT, based on its programming, would likely choose 12:03 a.m. But as humans, we have the ability to see things from multiple angles, and every solution can be valid in its own way.
Chat Gpt says D as well pic.twitter.com/YXNXlizhJK
— Les (@lachula_5) June 22, 2023
This math question, while seemingly simple, has sparked a lively debate, showcasing the power of human ingenuity and the endless possibilities of interpretation. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the most interesting questions are the ones that don’t have a single, definitive answer.
