The question garnered over 1.4 million views, triggering a flurry of comments expressing various interpretations and answers. The phrasing of the question, emphasizing the “closest time to,” sparked creative thinking among participants, leading to divergent viewpoints.

Debating Interpretations and Seeking Solutions
As users grappled with the puzzle, the prevailing consensus leaned toward option “D.” Many participants believed that 12:03 a.m. was the closest time to midnight, considering the progression of time either forward or backward from the central point.

However, alternative interpretations emerged, with some participants highlighting the ambiguity in the question’s phrasing. The distinction between “closest time to” and “closest time until” played a crucial role in shaping diverse perspectives. Some argued for option “A,” contending that it was the closest time to the next occurrence of midnight.