extrapolate

[ik-strap-uh-leyt] /ɪkˈstræp əˌleɪt/
verb (used with object), extrapolated, extrapolating.
1.
to infer (an unknown) from something that is known; conjecture.
2.
Statistics. to estimate (the value of a variable) outside the tabulated or observed range.
3.
Mathematics. to estimate (a function that is known over a range of values of its independent variable) to values outside the known range.
verb (used without object), extrapolated, extrapolating.
4.
to perform extrapolation.
Origin
1825-35; extra- + (inter)polate
Related forms
extrapolation, noun
extrapolative, extrapolatory
[ik-strap-uh-luh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] /ɪkˈstræp ə ləˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i/ (Show IPA), adjective
extrapolator, noun
overextrapolation, noun
Can be confused
deduction, extrapolation, induction, generalization, hypothesis.
Examples from the web for extrapolate
  • It's harder to extrapolate with little or no data.
  • Still, many economists warn that it's difficult to extrapolate from these blades of grass.
  • You cannot extrapolate a generalization based upon a handful of data.
  • We don't know enough to really extrapolate any sort of real pattern.
  • Those movements are not really the ones from which to extrapolate future trends.
  • It's unfair to extrapolate too much from one quiet afternoon on the campaign trail.
  • They extrapolate this number to make additional calculations.
  • But it's easy to extrapolate that into people using drugs to go further than they should.
  • The authors' second major error is to extrapolate average growth trends from current elevated levels.
  • And if they can learn that you can extrapolate they have that level of understanding.
British Dictionary definitions for extrapolate

extrapolate

/ɪkˈstræpəˌleɪt/
verb
1.
(maths) to estimate (a value of a function or measurement) beyond the values already known, by the extension of a curve Compare interpolate (sense 4)
2.
to infer (something not known) by using but not strictly deducing from the known facts
Derived Forms
extrapolation, noun
extrapolative, extrapolatory, adjective
extrapolator, noun
Word Origin
C19: extra- + -polate, as in interpolate
Word Origin and History for extrapolate
v.

1874, a back-formation from extrapolation by analogy of interpolate. Said in early references to be an expression of Sir George Airy (1801-1892), English mathematician and astronomer. Related: Extrapolated; extrapolating.

extrapolate in Science
extrapolate
  (ĭk-strāp'ə-lāt')   
To estimate the value of a quantity that falls outside the range in which its values are known.
extrapolate in Technology


extrapolation