extrapolate

American  

[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.

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verb (used without object)

extrapolated, extrapolating

1. to perform extrapolation.

extrapolate British  

/ 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

2. to infer (something not known) by using but not strictly deducing from the known facts

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extrapolate Scientific  

/ ĭk-străp′ə-lāt′ /

1. To estimate the value of a quantity that falls outside the range in which its values are known.

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Other Word Forms

• extrapolation noun
• extrapolative adjective
• extrapolator noun
• extrapolatory adjective
• overextrapolation noun

Etymology

Origin of extrapolate

First recorded in 1825–35; extra- + (inter)polate

Example Sentences

Mr Justice Nicklin started to ask what the best single piece of evidence for each article was, and Sherborne was forced to say: "We are asking your lordship to extrapolate."

From BBC

The software bears have extrapolated to a future in which much of office work is done by agents, not by people.

From Barron's

That data can ultimately be extrapolated to regions where there isn’t much flood information to help predict sudden rainfall, Google said.

From The Wall Street Journal

The findings were then extrapolated to produce annual estimates.

From BBC

“Investors tend to extrapolate recent performance. Periods of strong gains foster overconfidence.”

From Barron's

Related Words

• deduce
• hypothesize