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extrapolation

 - 6 dictionary results

ex⋅trap⋅o⋅late

  [ik-strap-uh-leyt] verb, -lat⋅ed, -lat⋅ing.
–verb (used with object)
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)
4. to perform extrapolation.
Use extrapolation in a Sentence
Origin:
1825–35; extra- + (inter)polate

Related forms:
ex⋅trap⋅o⋅la⋅tion, noun
ex⋅trap⋅o⋅la⋅tive, ex⋅trap⋅o⋅la⋅to⋅ry  [ik-strap-uh-luh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] , adjective
ex⋅trap⋅o⋅la⋅tor, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.
Cite This Source Link To extrapolation
ex·trap·o·late   (ĭk-strāp'ə-lāt')   
v.   ex·trap·o·lat·ed, ex·trap·o·lat·ing, ex·trap·o·lates

v.   tr.

  1. To infer or estimate by extending or projecting known information.

  2. Mathematics To estimate (a value of a variable outside a known range) from values within a known range by assuming that the estimated value follows logically from the known values.

v.   intr.
To engage in the process of extrapolating.

[extra- + (inter)polate.]
ex·trap'o·la'tion n., ex·trap'o·la'tive adj., ex·trap'o·la'tor n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Cultural Dictionary

extrapolation [(ik-strap-uh-lay-shuhn)]

A mathematical procedure designed to enable one to estimate unknown values of a parameter from known values. A common method of extrapolation is to look at data on a curve, then extend the curve into regions for which there is no data. Extrapolation is often used to predict the future.

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

extrapolation 
coined 1872 from extra + (inter)polation; original sense was "insert intermediate terms in a mathematical series." Transf. sense of "drawing a conclusion about the future based on present tendencies" is from 1889.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Science Dictionary
extrapolate   (ĭk-strāp'ə-lāt')  Pronunciation Key 
To estimate the value of a quantity that falls outside the range in which its values are known.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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Computing Dictionary

extrapolation mathematics, algorithm
A mathematical procedure which estimates values of a function for certain desired inputs given values for known inputs.
If the desired input is outside the range of the known values this is called extrapolation, if it is inside then it is called interpolation.
The method works by fitting a "curve" (i.e. a function) to two or more given points and then applying this function to the required input. Example uses are calculating trigonometric functions from tables and audio waveform sythesis.
The simplest form of interpolation is where a function, f(x), is estimated by drawing a straight line ("linear interpolation") between the nearest given points on either side of the required input value:
f(x) ~ f(x1) + (f(x2) - f(x1))(x-x1)/(x2 - x1)
There are many variations using more than two points or higher degree polynomial functions. The technique can also be extended to functions of more than one input.
(2007-06-29)

The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing, © 1993-2007 Denis Howe
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