Determine whether the following sequence is arithmetic, geometric, or neither.

1, 4, 9, 16, ...

arithmetic

geometric

neither

Neither.

For a sequence to be arithmetic, the difference between a term and the term before it has to be constant (common difference)

2nd term minus 1st term

4 - 1 = 3

3rd term minus 2nd term

9 - 4 = 5

4th term minus 3rd term

16 - 9 = 7

The difference is not constant. Not arithmetic.

For a geometric seq, ratio of a term to the term before has to be common (common ratio)

4 / 1 = 4

9/4 is not 4

So not geometric.

Neither.