ordinal numbers question

English translation: "these values were only found on the first day and on the last two days of the retention period"

13:30 Oct 28, 2002

Portuguese to English translations [PRO]
Tech/Engineering / biodigesters

Portuguese term or phrase: ordinal numbers question

The following idea has to be translated but I do not feel confident about the accuracy of what will be understood:

"estes valores só foram encontrados no primeiro e nos dois últimos dias do período de retenção"

meaning, for a retention period that lasts 10 days, that the referred values were found in days 1, 9 and 10.

if I say "these values were only found in the first and THE last two days of the RP", will the reader understand days 1, 9 and 10 or somebody could understand days 1,2,9 and 10 (which is wrong)?

You are confused? So am I. HELP!!!

Henrique Serra KudoZ activity Questions: 119 (none open) Answers: 2432 United States
Local time: 00:57

English translation:"these values were only found on the first day and on the last two days of the retention period"

Explanation:
repeating the word day will make it clearer; also, use on.

Selected response from:

SDAnderson
United States
Local time: 02:57

Grading comment

Thank you both answerers and reviewers for your valuable input.

OT: Brazil has a new elected President, Mr. Lula da Silva; runoffs were yesterday. I'm excited (obviouly I'm not related to his opponent, José Serra...).
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

Summary of answers provided

5 +5

"these values were only found on the first day and on the last two days of the retention period"

SDAnderson

5 +1

a primeira frase está certa. Vá em frente Serra!

Clauwolf

no primeiro dia, no penúltimo dia e no último dia ...

Rene Duvekot

days 1, 9 and 10

Ana Rita Santiago

Answers

5 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +1

a primeira frase está certa. Vá em frente Serra!

Explanation:
:)

Clauwolf
Local time: 03:57
Native speaker of:

Portuguese
PRO pts in pair: 3197

10 mins confidence:

days 1, 9 and 10

Explanation:
Por que não usar a sua própria explicação, que evita a ambigüidade?

Ana Rita Santiago
Brazil
Local time: 03:57
Native speaker of:

Portuguese
PRO pts in pair: 288

15 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +5

"these values were only found on the first day and on the last two days of the retention period"

Explanation:
repeating the word day will make it clearer; also, use on.

SDAnderson
United States
Local time: 02:57
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in pair: 59

Grading comment

34 mins confidence:

no primeiro dia, no penúltimo dia e no último dia ...

Explanation:
pode não ser o mais bonito, mas se é importante que o leitor entenda corretamente, sacrifique um pouco a beleza literária.

Rene Duvekot
United States
Local time: 02:57
Native speaker of:

English,

Portuguese
PRO pts in pair: 31

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ordinal numbers question

English translation: "these values were only found on the first day and on the last two days of the retention period"

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ordinal numbers question

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