PsychologyJuly 10, 2026
extrapolation
/ɪkˌstræp.əˈleɪ.ʃən/
Definition
The act of using known data or trends to make an educated estimate or inference about unknown or missing information.
Etymology
Derived from the Latin 'extra' (outside) and the English verb 'interpolate' (to insert). It entered scientific usage in the 19th century to describe the process of extending a known sequence or trend beyond its original range.
In the news
In this article, researchers used extrapolation to fill in gaps for countries where local mental health data was unavailable, allowing them to create a global estimate. It is noted as a necessary method, though one that requires cautious interpretation.
Nearly 1.2 billion people worldwide suffer from mental health disorders
Read the full article ↗Science Media Centre España