1. The problem gives the number of dots for the first three terms: term 1 has 5 dots, term 2 has 8 dots, and term 3 has 11 dots. 2. We observe that the number of dots increases by 3 each term: from 5 to 8 (increase by 3) and from 8 to 11 (increase by 3). 3. This suggests an arithmetic sequence with first term $a_1 = 5$ and common difference $d = 3$. 4. The nth term formula for an arithmetic sequence is: $$a_n = a_1 +(n-1)d$$ 5. For the 14th term, substitute $n = 14$: $$a_{14} = 5 + (14 - 1) \times 3 = 5 + 13 \times 3 = 5 + 39 = 44$$ 6. Therefore, the 14th term has 44 dots.