Tech Progression Formula?

[Stone Mill]

OK... I've been playing for a while, but I'm embarassed to say this question eludes me...

When trading tech with human players, you often exchange for even value (research points). However, I have a hard time (maybe I'm too lazy) figuring out the Tech Progression Formula for tech cost.

In the research queue, your current level is displayed, along with the cost to reach next level. But the cost researched to get to those levels are not displayed.

For example, if I were to trade 4 levels of ship construction, could I calculate how much value (research points) I have already spent, based on the cost displayed to reach the next level?

Or is there a spreadsheet available that shows the costs? As always, I appreciate any advice!

[Andrés]

LC level cost
L level you want to research

Low tech cost - LC*L
Mid tech cost - LC*(L^2)/2
High tech cost - LC*(L^2)

[geoschmo]

Andrés, you can display the square symbol. Instead of "L^2" you can have it print as L². The command is Alt+0178.

Geoschmo

[Ed Kolis]

Note that on medium tech cost the first level is still L instead of L/2, though...

[geoschmo]

Originally posted by Ed Kolis:
Note that on medium tech cost the first level is still L instead of L/2, though...

True, perhaps the formula for mid tech should be:
Mid tech cost - LC*int[(L²)/2] , or something to that effect.

Geo

[Stone Mill]

Thanks for the help.

I tried to run through an example to apply the formulas.
I presume LC = The cost to get to level 1.

Mid-Tech(Medium) Cost

Repair (LC = 10,000)

Level 1: 10,000 * (1 * 1) = 10,000
Level 2: 10,000 * (2 * 2)/2 = 20,000
Level 3: 10,000 * (3 * 3)/2 = 45,000

High-Tech Cost

Repair (LC = 10,000)

Level 1: 10,000 * (1 * 1) = 10,000
Level 2: 10,000 * (2 * 2) = 40,000
Level 3: 10,000 * (3 * 3) = 90,000

Sound ok?

[ July 22, 2002, 18:34: Message edited by: Stone Mill ]