I was wondering if I need to be in the same team to get bonus resources. I am currently in a trading contract with someone on anther team which would give me the Scholars bonus if I upgrade my tech. If I got more tech would I get the bonus or not because I am on red and he is on orange?

No - you do not need to be on the same team to get bonus resources.

There are, however, benefits to being on the same team (color).

Oh good, that means I can up my tech some. If I can get that oil coal trade I requested can get a bunch of bonus resources with the current trade setup I got. How much tech do I need to get more than 90% literacy for scholars?

you need about 220. For a nation your size though, it is much more profitable for you to just sell tech and buy infra.

Dude. You have aluminum and marble. You should be in the 3 bonus resource combo: fast food, construction, and beer. Your resources are so secsi, people should be lined up around the block to have you be in their trade circle.

Why is a 3 bonus resource trade circle considered better than a 7 or 8 bonus resource circle?

7 and 8 are mostly military and infra reduction ones. 3 BR is a purely population and happiness booster. Personally i prefer the 5 BR that gives max infra reduction along with 16% of population w/ Uranium

I would personally prefer reduction of infrastructure cost and upkeep, to be honest.