Other forms: extrapolated, extrapolating, extrapolates
To extrapolate is to extend a known trend past the data you have. Extrapolate the curve, extrapolate from four points, dangerous to extrapolate.
It is the opposite of interpolating between known points, and it is far riskier — a straight line fitted to ten years can be badly wrong about the eleventh. The word was built on interpolate, with extra- meaning outside.
1verbextrapolateTo extend a known trend past the data you have.
“If we extrapolate from this year's sales, we'll need a bigger warehouse by 2030.”
extrapolate is an estimating.
Proto-Indo-European
*pel- (beat)
Latin
interpolātus
English
interpolate
English, today
extrapolate
From extra- + interpolate. interpolate comes from Latin interpolātus, perfect passive participle of interpolō, see -ate. Compare French interpoler.
Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA