A math puzzle recently went viral after being posted on Reddit in June 2023. The question asked, “What is the closest time to midnight?” with the options:
A. 11:55 a.m.
B. 12:06 a.m.
C. 11:50 a.m.
D. 12:03 a.m.
Most Reddit users favored option D (12:03 a.m.), as it’s just three minutes past midnight. However, some argued that “closest time to” could mean the time closest to the next midnight, making option A (11:55 a.m.) a valid answer. AI, including ChatGPT, also supported D as the correct choice, considering it the closest time right after midnight.
The puzzle sparked debates about interpretation, showing how perspective can change the solution to a seemingly simple question. What do you think?