A seemingly simple math question about the “closest time to midnight” has gone viral, sparking intense debate on Reddit. With options including 11:55 a.m., 12:06 a.m., 11:50 a.m., and 12:03 a.m., the question attracted over 1.4 million views and a range of interpretations.

While many favored 12:03 a.m. as the answer, others argued for 11:55 a.m., pointing to different ways of understanding “closest time.” Even AI weighed in, supporting 12:03 a.m., but the discussion highlighted how varied interpretations can shape seemingly straightforward questions, reflecting broader concerns about ambiguity in learning math. The answer to the question “What is the closest time to midnight?” is 12:03 a.m. (option D).