A seemingly simple math question meant for kids has taken the internet by storm, sparking a huge debate. Shared on Reddit, this brain-teaser has left many puzzled and led to lively discussions among thousands of people trying to find the right answer.
In today’s digital world, puzzles and brain-teasers have become a popular way to engage people’s minds and bring together online communities. This latest puzzle has proven particularly tricky, challenging people of all ages and reigniting interest in solving tough questions.
The Puzzle That Got Everyone Talking
In June 2023, a Reddit user from Jamaica, @yawdmontweet, posted a question that stumped many and sparked an international debate: “What is the closest time to midnight?” The options were: A. 11:55 a.m., B. 12:06 a.m., C. 11:50 a.m., and D. 12:03 a.m.
The question quickly gained over 1.4 million views, with countless comments offering different answers and interpretations. The wording of the question, especially the phrase “closest time to,” led to a variety of creative answers.
Different Interpretations and Solutions
As people tried to solve the puzzle, most agreed that the answer was “D” – 12:03 a.m., since it’s closest to midnight if you think of time moving forward or backward from that point.
However, some saw the question differently, arguing over the phrasing. The difference between “closest time to” and “closest time until” led to multiple perspectives. Some thought option “A” was right, as it’s closest to the next midnight.
Others took a more creative approach, considering the physical closeness of the written word “midnight” in the options, leading some to choose option “A” for that reason.
Turning to AI for Help
In the midst of all this, some people asked artificial intelligence for help. The chatbot ChatGPT gave a clear answer: “The closest time to midnight would be D. 12:03 a.m.”
The Debate Over Multiple Correct Answers
As the debate continued, one commenter noted that this kind of question might confuse young students and suggested that it could have more than one correct answer. They pointed out that different interpretations, like the closest time to the next midnight or the raw minutes forward or back, could lead to frustration and even a dislike for math among kids.
The online debate shows no signs of stopping. So, which option would you choose? Do you think this tricky question could have multiple correct answers based on different ways of looking at it?
