Explanation

Let's analyze the sequence:

-5, 7, 19, 31

The differences between consecutive terms are:

7 - (-5) = 12

19 - 7 = 12

31 - 19 = 12

The sequence has a common difference of 12.

The general term for an arithmetic sequence is:

aₙ = a₁ + (n - 1)d

where a₁ is the first term (-5) and d is the common difference (12).

aₙ = -5 + (n - 1)12

aₙ = -5 + 12(n - 1)