extrapolation
[ ik-strap-uh-ley-shuh n ]
/ ɪkˌstræp əˈleɪ ʃən /
noun
an act or instance of inferring an unknown from something that is known.
Statistics, Mathematics.
the act or process of estimating the value of a variable or function outside the tabulated or observed range.
Origin of extrapolation
First recorded in 1870–75;
extrapolat(e) +
-(t)ion
Words nearby extrapolation
Example sentences from the Web for extrapolation
Cultural definitions for extrapolation
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.