Deduction, Abduction & Induction

Wikipedia concisely clarifies the distinction between the three forms of inference:

Deductive inference - finding the effect, given the cause and the rule.
Abductive inference - finding the cause, given the rule and the effect.
Inductive inference - finding the rule, given the cause and the effect.

   [ cause ] → → → [ rule ] → → → [ effect ]
  (abduction)     (induction)     (deduction)

Wikipedia gives an example using Hooke's law F=k.x (rule) which relates the force applied (cause) to a spring and its extension (effect). If the force and Hooke's law are known, the elongation of the beam can be deducted. If the elongation and Hooke's law are known, the force acting on the beam can be abducted. If the elongation and the force are known, Hooke's law can be inducted.