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Interpolation Assignment

Interpolation is a method of fitting data points to represent the value of a function within a discrete data set. It involves determining unknown values that lie between known data points using methods like linear interpolation or Lagrange's formula. Common interpolation methods include linear, nearest neighbor, cubic spline, shape-preserving, thin-plate spline, and biharmonic interpolation. Interpolation is used to construct new data points within a range, determine a function passing through given points, and approximate functions with simpler polynomials or piecewise polynomials.

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M Salman Aashiq
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114 views

Interpolation Assignment

Interpolation is a method of fitting data points to represent the value of a function within a discrete data set. It involves determining unknown values that lie between known data points using methods like linear interpolation or Lagrange's formula. Common interpolation methods include linear, nearest neighbor, cubic spline, shape-preserving, thin-plate spline, and biharmonic interpolation. Interpolation is used to construct new data points within a range, determine a function passing through given points, and approximate functions with simpler polynomials or piecewise polynomials.

Uploaded by

M Salman Aashiq
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Interpolation

Interpolation is a method of fitting the data points to represent the value of a function. It has a
various number of applications in engineering and science, that are used to construct new data
points within the range of a discrete data set of known data points or can be used for determining a
formula of the function that will pass from the given set of points (x,y). In this article, we are going to
discuss the meaning of interpolation in Statistics, its formulas, and uses in detail.

Also, read:

 Extrapolation
 Statistics
 Polynomials

Interpolation Meaning
Interpolation is a method of deriving a simple function from the given discrete data set such that the
function passes through the provided data points. This helps to determine the data points in between
the given data ones. This method is always needed to compute the value of a function for an
intermediate value of the independent function. In short, interpolation is a process of determining the
unknown values that lie in between the known data points. It is mostly used to predict the unknown
values for any geographical related data points such as noise level, rainfall, elevation, and so on.

Interpolation Formula
The unknown value on the data points can be found using the linear interpolation and Lagrange’s
interpolation formula.

Interpolation Methods
There are different types of interpolation methods. They are:
Linear Interpolation Method – This method applies a distinct linear polynomial between each pair
of data points for curves, or within the sets of three points for surfaces.
Nearest Neighbour Method – This method inserts the value of an interpolated point to the value of
the most adjacent data point. Therefore, this method does not produce any new data points.
Cubic Spline Interpolation Method – This method fits a different cubic polynomial between each
pair of data points for curves, or between sets of three points for surfaces.
Shape-Preservation Method – This method is also known as Piecewise Cubic Hermite
Interpolation (PCHIP). It preserves the monotonicity and the shape of the data. It is for curves only.
Thin-plate Spline Method – This method consists of smooth surfaces that also extrapolate well. It is
only for surfaces only
Biharmonic Interpolation Method – This method is applied to the surfaces only.

Quadratic Interpolation
As an example, let us consider the given value
x0 = 0
x1 = π/4
x2 = π/2
and
yi = cos xi
Where i = 0, 1, 2
This gives us the three points (0, 1), (π/4, 1/√2), and (π/2, 0)
Now finding a quadratic polynomial that will contain the points

For which
p(xi) = yi
i = 0, 1, 2
The graph of this polynomial is shown on the accompanying figure. We later give an explicit formula.
Uses of Interpolation
1. Replace a set of data points {(xi, yi)} with a function given analytically.
The data may be from a known class of functions. Interpolation is then used to find the member of
this class of functions that agrees with the given data. For example, data may be generated from
functions of the form

Then we need to find the coefficients {aj} based on the given data values.
We may want to take function values f(x) given in a table for selected values of x, often equally
spaced, and extend the function to values of x, not in the table. For example, given numbers from a
table of logarithms, estimate the logarithm of a number x not in the table.
Given a set of data points {(xi,yi)}, find a curve passing thru these points that are “pleasing to the
eye”. In fact, this is what is done continually with computer graphics. How do we connect a set of
points to make a smooth curve? Connecting them with straight line segments will often give a curve
with many corners, whereas what was intended was a smooth curve.
2. Approximate functions with simpler ones, usually polynomials or ‘piecewise polynomials’.
Is to approximate functions f(x) by simpler functions p(x), perhaps to make it easier to integrate or
differentiate f(x). That will be the primary reason for studying interpolation in this course.
As an example of why this is important, consider the problem of evaluating

This is very difficult to do analytically. But we will look at producing polynomial interpolants of the
integrand and polynomials are easily integrated exactly.

Interpolation and Extrapolation


The primary differences can be noted between interpolation and extrapolation are given in the below
table.

Interpolation Extrapolation

It is the method of using our function to predict It is the method of using our function to predict the
the value of the dependent variable for an value of the dependent variable for an independent
independent variable that lies within the data set. variable that lies outside the range of our data.

This works within the given data set. This works beyond the given data set.

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

What do you mean by interpolation?


A statistical method of deriving a simple function from the given discrete data set such that the
function passes through the provided data points is called interpolation.

Why is interpolation needed?


Interpolation is needed to compute the value of a function for an intermediate value of the
independent function.

What is difference between interpolation and extrapolation?


Interpolation is defined to utilize the data for predicting the data within the dataset and is a method of
fitting the data points to represent the value of a function. Extrapolation is the method of using the
data set to estimate beyond the data set.
What are the different methods of interpolation?
The different methods of interpolation are:
Linear Interpolation Method
Nearest Neighbour Method
Cubic Spline Interpolation Method
Shape-Preservation Method
Thin-plate Spline Method
Biharmonic Interpolation Method

What are the uses of interpolation?


The uses of interpolation include:
Help users to determine what data might exist outside of their collected data.
Similarly, for scientists, engineers, photographers and mathematicians to fit the data for analysing
the trend and so on.

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