followed by/ following
There was a rise in the cafe's sales over the 3 years, followed by a sudden increase to $120,000.
There was a rise in the cafe's sales over the 3 years, following a sudden increase to $120,000.

Hello,guys. Can you tell me if both sentences mean the same? I'm trying to describe a graph but I failed to upload the picture to show you. I'm stuck with the sentences and can't continue. So please help me!
Many thanks!!

Question

followed by/ following
There was a rise in the cafe's sales over the 3 years, followed by a sudden increase to $120,000. 
There was a rise in the cafe's sales over the 3 years, following a sudden increase to $120,000.

Hello,guys. Can you tell me if both sentences mean the same? I'm trying to describe a graph but I failed to upload the picture to show you. I'm stuck with the sentences and can't continue. So please help me!
Many thanks!!

Answer

In fact, these two sentences have completely opposite meanings.

The past participle "followed by" is a reduced relative clause in the passive - it is short for "which was followed by". This means that the sudden increase came after the rise.

The present participle "following" refers to the rise, meaning that the rise came after the sudden increase.

Who says that grammar doesn't matter? ;)

Answer

Followed by a sudden increase ---> this means that after the 3 years, they earned $120,000, which was a sharp increase compared to the past

Following a sudden increase to $120,000 ---> this means that the cafe earned more, because of / as a result of a $120,000 increase in sales

Answer

There was a rise in the cafe's sales over the 3 years, followed by a sudden increase to $120,000 (e.g. in the fourth year).

There was a rise in the cafe's sales over the 3 years, following a sudden increase to $120,000 (e.g. in the year before the start of the 3 years which you mentioned).

I hope you can see the difference in the meanings from my extra information above.