A worked example
The sequence 2, 5, 8, 11 is arithmetic with a common difference of 3 — the next terms are 14, 17, 20...
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between arithmetic and geometric sequences?
Arithmetic sequences add the same fixed amount each step (2, 5, 8, 11... adding 3 each time). Geometric sequences multiply by the same fixed factor each step (2, 6, 18, 54... multiplying by 3 each time).
What if my sequence doesn't match either pattern?
Some sequences follow more complex rules (quadratic growth, Fibonacci-style addition of previous terms, etc.) that this tool isn't designed to detect — it specifically checks for constant differences or constant ratios.