To use known information to estimate or predict something not yet known
Examples:
Economists often extrapolate future trends from past data.She can extrapolate the outcome based on her vast experience.Scientists extrapolate climate changes using computer models.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Interpolate
To estimate or calculate a value within two known values in a sequence of values.
Examples:
The artist often interpolated modern themes into classic works.The mathematician interpolated values to complete the missing data.The historian interpolates disputed events to offer a fresh perspective.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Ways to tell them apart:
Interpolate involves estimating between two known points, while extrapolate involves estimating beyond the known points.
Think of inter in interpolate as inside or between, since you're dealing with values within the data range.
Extrapolate has an extra sense, like going beyond what's already there, into the unknown future or past.
Visualize interpolate as filling in gaps within a sequence, whereas extrapolate predicts beyond the sequence's end.
Interpolate fills the inside gaps; extrapolate stretches the line out beyond what's visible.