Which term describes the process of estimating values between known values, such as 7/16 between 3/8 and 1/2?

• A. Extrapolation
• B. Averaging
• C. Interpolation
• D. Rounding

Answer: (C)

Interpolation is the process of estimating a value within the range covered by two known values. When you know two endpoints, you estimate a value that lies between them. In this example, 3/8 and 1/2 are the endpoints, and 7/16 lies between them; it's halfway between, so linear interpolation would place the estimate exactly at 7/16. This differs from extrapolation, which would estimate beyond the known values, and from rounding, which changes a value to a nearby standard figure. Averaging the two endpoints could also yield 7/16 in this specific case, but interpolation is the standard term for estimating a value inside a range based on known points.