2006-07-09 21:25:47 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
This is all considering you have a set of scientific trials in an experiment (like, you take the values for at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 minutes after an event).
Interpolation is when you evaluate, based on your result, the value of, let's say, 5.5 - a point between the endpoints of the range, but not with a definite value.
Extrapolation is when you evaluate, based on your result, a value that is outside the range of tested value, let's say, in this case, 12 minutes after the event.
If you have enough entries, and can see a clear trend, both interpolation and extrapolation can be OK. If the trend is not very visible, though, or you have too few values, either or both evaluations can be very far off the actual values.
2006-07-09 21:30:19 · answer #1 · answered by AlphaOne_ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Both terms refer to determining the approximate value of a function at a point at which a value for the function is not conveniently available. Interpolation means to determine such a value between two known points. Extrapolation means to determine such a value at a point either larger or smaller than all known points. Example: suppose f(2) = 5 and f(3) = 9, and no other points are known. We interpolate to guess that f(2.5) = 7, and extrapolate to guess that f(4) = 13. Of course, any such guess relies on the function being reasonably well behaved.
2006-07-10 04:32:14 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Interpolation is more similar to curve fitting than extrapolation. Like trying to match all the data you have to a certain formula you can use but in his case the formula you have must include all the data points, so not like a "best fit" scenario.
Extrapolation is taking the data you current have and trying to predict information outside your data set.
Like if you take measurements of something and you try to use that data to figure out what will happen tomorrow. Thats extrapolation. If you only took samples of whatever everyday you would use interpolation to figure out what was happening with your samples inbetween when you took them.
Not a very good example but I hope it helps some.
2006-07-10 04:34:04 · answer #3 · answered by jetteleigh 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Interpolation is where you estimate a point (eg on a curve) in between two known points.
Extrapolation is where you use you two known points to estimate another point outside of your known data range.
2006-07-10 04:29:55 · answer #4 · answered by ehc11 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Interpolation is to "insert" e.g. between text
Extrapolation is to estimate an answer e.g. in Maths
2006-07-10 04:29:49 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋