On social media, many viewers were stunned after a children’s math question, but no one gave the correct answer.
A math question aimed at children has gone viral, leaving thousands of social media users puzzled.
Children’s math question that left people scratching their heads.
On social media, The tricky problem, shared by @yawdmontweet from Jamaica, has sparked confusion among many people, especially on Twitter.
With over 1.4 million views, the question is: “What is the closest time to midnight?”
The multiple-choice question asks:
– A. 11:55 am
– B. 12:06 am
– C. 11:50 am
– D. 12:03 am
Despite its seemingly simple nature, the question has baffled many. Some users on Twitter quickly jumped to answer, but most couldn’t agree on the correct one.
Many viewers struggle to solve a children’s math question.
In the comment section, many viewers were baffled by confusion over the closest time to midnight.
Many users argued that the correct answer is “D,” 12:03 am, believing it was the closest time to midnight. The reasoning? It was just three minutes away.
However, others were convinced the answer should be “A,” 11:55 am. They also suggested that the wording of the question caused confusion.
One person said: D. The answer is D. I don’t understand how anyone wants to debate it. You answer the question based on the information you have been given. And To anyone saying ‘if you follow Price is Right rules…’ it’s a child’s math question, what child even knows about The Price is Right.
A second wrote: For me, it’s A. If the basis is “closest time TO midnight” since 11:55am would just be 12hrs and 5mins away while 12:03am is 23hrs and 57mins. If the answer is D, it would be FROM midnight.
While a third commented: The question is “what is the closest time ‘to’ midnight?” Not til’ midnight. Til or until suggests the next midnight, in which case A would be the correct answer. But this question says ‘to’ midnight, suggesting comparing times of day to one another, in which case the answer is D.
Another added: Wow guys, this is amusing. When did time ever go backwards? The answer is clearly B 12:06 am.
Someone else said: Both A and C are nearly noon, hence as “far away” from midnight as possible. “Closest” is D. When your curfew is at midnight, you’re “closer” to being home on time at 3 minutes after midnight (12:03 a.m.) than at any other other option presented.
The role of wording in this confusion
The main issue appears to be the interpretation of the word “closest.” Some readers felt the phrasing was unclear. One commenter explained: “To midnight” and “past midnight” are two different concepts when discussing time.
Another commenter added: Without further clarification, it’s hard to pick the right answer. If we consider the next midnight, A could be the closest.
The answer is D, but why?
While it may seem like a simple question, people have mixed views.
A few users even consulted AI tools like ChatGPT, which agreed that the answer is “D” — 12:03 am. But the confusion remains: is “closest” based on time progression, or does it require going backward in time?
Though most agree that “D” is the closest time, some feel the question’s wording could lead to multiple interpretations.
In the end, the question sparked a larger debate about the importance of clarity in mathematical phrasing.
For you, what is the correct answer to the question, ‘What is the closest time to midnight?’