The Most Prominent Math Joke: What Is the Nearest Time to Midnight?
Everybody enjoys a good puzzle every now and again, and this one has just gone viral on the internet. This challenging arithmetic problem, which was originally intended for children, has drawn interest from individuals of all ages and sparked an active online conversation. This brainteaser, which was originally shared on Reddit, has made us adore answering difficult puzzles again.
The Mystery That Enthralled the Whole World
A Jamaican Reddit member going by the handle @yawdmontweet asked a perplexing question back in June 2023: “What is the closest time to midnight?” With four alternatives to select from—A. 11:55 a.m., B. 12:06 a.m., C. 11:50 a.m., and D. 12:03 a.m.—it seemed quite straightforward.
This question became quite popular very quickly, receiving over 1.4 million views and a ton of comments from people with different opinions and responses. The term “closest time to” encouraged original thought and allowed for dissenting opinions.
Dispute Interpretations and Look for Answers
As more participants entered the conversation, option “D” became the consensus choice. Whether looking forward or backward in time, many thought that 12:03 a.m. was the closest to midnight.
Not everyone, though, was in agreement. Some remarked that the meaning might be completely altered by using the phrase “closest time to” instead of “closest time until.” Option “A” was backed by those who said that it was closest to the following midnight.
Some participants also took an original approach to the problem by analyzing the ways in which the word “midnight” appeared in the list of possibilities. Because of this, some people preferred choice “A” and associated it more strongly with the phrase.
AI’s Part in Resolving the Puzzle
Some people looked to artificial intelligence for support during these discussions. In response, ChatGPT, a chatbot, stated bluntly, “D. 12:03 a.m. would be the closest time to midnight.”
After much debate, someone pointed out that kids might get confused by these kinds of inquiries. They made the point that different interpretations, which could include simple forward or backward minutes or times till the following midnight, could be confusing and discourage young students from pursuing arithmetic.
Which choice, then, would you pick? Do you believe that multiple accurate answers based on various interpretations are possible?
