common difference

American  

noun

Mathematics.

1. the difference between any two consecutive terms in an arithmetic progression.

---

Etymology

Origin of common difference

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

Let’s write the first few terms of a sequence where the first term is and the common difference is d.

From Textbooks • Sep. 23, 2020

Find the 19th term of a sequence where the 5th term is 1 and the common difference is -4.

From Textbooks • Sep. 23, 2020

Let’s write the first few terms of a sequence where the first term is a1 and the common difference is d.

From Textbooks • May 6, 2020

Find the fortieth term of a sequence where the first term is −19 and the common difference is seven.

From Textbooks • May 6, 2020

The common difference between the men and the women is the women had fresh lipstick—their one attempt at sanitary glamour.

From "Hole in My Life" by Jack Gantos