extrapolate

Extrapolate is defined as speculate, estimate or arrive at a conclusion based on known facts or observations.

(verb)

An example of extrapolate is deciding it will take twenty minutes to get home because it took you twenty minutes to get there.

See extrapolate in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb, intransitive verb extrapolated, extrapolating

Statistics to estimate or infer (a value, quantity, etc. beyond the known range) on the basis of certain variables within the known range, from which the estimated value is assumed to follow
to arrive at (conclusions or results) by hypothesizing from known facts or observations
to speculate as to consequences on the basis of (known facts or observations)

Origin: L extra (see extra-) + (inter)polate

Related Forms:

See extrapolate in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb ex·trap·o·lat·ed, ex·trap·o·lat·ing, ex·trap·o·lates

verb, transitive

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

verb, intransitive

To engage in the process of extrapolating.

Origin:

Origin: extra-

Origin: + (inter)polate

Related Forms: