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We discussed this previously - I think it's unanswerable as stated, as it doesn't allow for the length of the "ring" of an individual bell.

i still maintain that the length of the ring is totally irrelevant.
the trap to avoid is to reason that it takes 4/3(in other words, 1 and 1-third)of a second per ring.
11 secs is my guess - always 1 less than the time of day. (One O'Clock sounds a bit tricky but theoretically, it would take zero seconds to set off a ring).

?????? hope there is a definite answer posted soon.

Hi trevor
It depends on when you STOP the timing - if it's at the START of the last ring, you are correct that the duration of te ring (as long as they are all the same) is irrelevant; however if you time to the END of the ring it does make a difference - the question is, at best, ambiguous.

I've changed my mind, trevor - it asks about the BELLRINGER, so that implies the START of the last ring - you are correct!

Hi ChrisE - it's the action of the bellringer that is being measured. The duration of the rings, even if they are all different and however long they may last, does not have any effect at all on the time it takes him to set a noise going.(1 per second - taking into account that the 1st one starts on zero).

Ahh,
took me ages composing that last post, trying to convince myself, i guess.

Pleased that we have finished in agreement!

Please somebody, kill me now..............

I've just re-read the previous thread and discovered that I eventually agreed with trevor then too!!!!

chrise, that is hilarious! I must say I thought 11 seconds was the answer too, which is probably due to having a logical but non- mathematical mind. I've been very impressed by the possible interpretations of the riddle though.