The equation of time is 12m 00s and the mean Sun is ahead of the apparent Sun. If you are on the central meridian of your time zone, at what zone time will the apparent Sun cross the meridian?

Correct Answer: Option A — 1212

The equation of time is the difference between apparent solar time (sundial time) and mean solar time (clock time). When the mean Sun is ahead of the apparent Sun, the apparent Sun crosses the meridian after 1200 Local Mean Time, giving 1212.