The first tech has been invented on LT40 :)

[wieder]

Because of the tech leakage the other players can see when techs have been researched. Currently all the level 1 techs cost 45 bulbs. Except pottery which now costs 43 bulbs. That's 45-(45/24)=43. Original cost-(original cost/number of players)=rounded down the computer way.

Paying attention to the small details in the early game may help you to plan the game and build more powerful empires

[fran]

Because of the tech leakage the other players can see when techs have been researched. Currently all the level 1 techs cost 45 bulbs. Except pottery which now costs 43 bulbs. That's 45-(45/24)=43. Original cost-(original cost/number of players)=rounded down the computer way.

n=number of players
r= number of players that own or don't own tech
b=original cost of tech
c=actual cost of tech

c = r / n * b <---- r here is the number of players that don't own the tech
23/24*45=43.125
22/24*45=41.25
21/24*45=39.375
20/24*45=37.5 <---- I asked my Computer what his way is, but got no answer.

r = n - c * n / b <---- r here is the number of players that own the tech
24 - 43*24/45 = 1.06
24 - 41*24/45 = 2.13
24 - 39*24/45 = 3.2
24 - 37*24/45 = 4.26 <---- truncated yields 4
24 - 37.5*24/45 = 4
24 - 38*24/45 = 3.73 <---- rounded yields 4

So in order to calculate r I need to know wether to truncate or to round, if the number is .5 or above.

BTW, is that an iteration what you do above? So next time you take 43 as "original cost"?
That way you accumulate an error, see:
2 players own tech
22/24*45=41.25 <---- fran
43-45/24=41.125 <---- wieder? of course could be it always yields the right result after truncating
43-43/24=41.208 <---- wieder?

Ok, but of course it's probably safe to assume it's truncated, or "rounded down".

[wieder]

Yeah, usually rounded down on code. The original cost will always remain as 45. I think that with 3 players inventing a tech it will cost 39 to the next one researching it.