A later above-threshold count does not replace the first crossing. Exact arithmetic here means exact results for the stated model inputs; measured inputs still carry uncertainty and significant-figure limits.

highlighted = computed this step

A later above-threshold cycle is not the threshold cycle

Cycle 4 has count 48, but it is not the first crossing.

482448\ge24
PCR threshold crossingExact doubling pins the first cycle that reaches the threshold.c0=3c1=6c2=12c3=24c4=48start=3threshold=24Ct=3crossed=1accepted=1

The check pins the first crossing at cycle three

The accepted threshold cycle remains 3 because cycle two is still below threshold.

Ct=3C_t=3
PCR threshold crossingExact doubling pins the first cycle that reaches the threshold.c0=3c1=6c2=12c3=24c4=48start=3threshold=24Ct=3crossed=1accepted=1