Interpolation Formula

Interpolation Formula (Table of Contents)

• Formula
• Examples

What is the Interpolation Formula?

The term “Interpolation” refers to the curve fitting technique that is used in the prediction of intermediate values and patterns on the basis of available historical data along with recent data points. In other words, the interpolation technique can be used to predict the missing data points in-between the available data points.

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The formula for interpolation is basically building a function for the unknown variable (y) based on the independent variable and at least two data points – (x₁, y₁) and (x₂, y₂). Mathematically, it is represented as,

Formula,

where,

• x = Independent Variable
• x₁ = 1^st Independent Variable
• x₂ = 2^nd Independent Variable
• y₁ = Value of the Function at Value X₁
• y₂ = Value of The Function at Value x₂

Example of Interpolation Formula (With Excel Template)

Let’s take an example to understand the calculation of the Interpolation Formula in a better manner.

Interpolation Formula – Example #1

Let us take the example of a hot Rod to illustrate the concept of interpolation. Suppose that the Temperature of the Rod was 100°C at 9.30 A.M which gradually came down to 35°C at 10.00 A.M. Find the temperature of the Rod at 9.40 A.M based on the given information.

Solution:

Temperature of the Rod(y) is calculated using the formula given below.

y =  (y₂ – y₁) / (x₂ – x₁) * (x – x₁) + y₁

• Temperature of the rod (y) = (35 – 100) / (1000 – 930) * (940 – 930) + 100֯C
• Temperature of the rod (y) = 78.33֯C

Therefore, the temperature of the rod was 78.33֯C at 9.40 A.M.

Interpolation Formula – Example #2

Let us take the curious case of John Doe who has been gaining significant weight in the last couple of months. As such, his doctor decided to monitor his weight and so started tracking his weight every 6 days for the last 60 days. The following information has been collected:

Solution:

The weight of John′s is calculated using the formula given below.

y =  (y₂ – y₁) / (x₂ – x₁) * (x – x₁) + y₁

On 14^th day

• On 14^th day = (160 – 154) / (18 – 12) * (14 – 12) + 154
• On 14^th day = 156 lbs

On 33^rd day

• On 33^rd day = (188 – 180) / (36 – 30) * (33 – 30) + 180
• On 33^rd day = 184 lbs

On 49^th day

• On 49^th day = (216 – 210) / (54 – 48) * (49 – 48) + 210
• On 49^th day = 211 lbs

Therefore, John’s weight on 14^th, 33^rd and 49^th day was 156 lbs, 184 lbs, and 211 lbs respectively.

Explanation

The formula for Interpolation can be calculated by using the following steps:

Step 1: Firstly, identify the independent and dependent variables for the function.

Step 2: Next, gather as many as possible historical and current data points in order to build a function. Make sure that there are at least two data points as it is the minimum data points required.

Step 3: Next, calculate the slope of the available data points by dividing the difference between the ordinates by that of the abscissas of the available data points.

Slope =  (y₂ – y₁) / (x₂ – x₁)

Step 4: Finally, the function for interpolation can be derived by multiplying the slope (step 3) with the difference between the independent variable and the abscissa of any one data point and then adding the corresponding ordinate to the result as shown below.

y =  (y₂ – y₁) / (x₂ – x₁) * (x – x₁) + y₁

Relevance and Use of Interpolation Formula

The importance of the interpolation technique can be gauzed from the fact that linear interpolation is believed to be used by Babylonian mathematicians and astronomers in the last three centuries BC, while the Greeks and Hipparchus used it in the 2nd century BC. One of the basic variants of interpolation is the linear interpolation technique which is commonly used by analysts in the field of mathematics, finance and computer programming. Please keep in mind that interpolation is a statistical and mathematical tool that is used to predict the intermediate values between two points.

Recommended Articles

This is a guide to Interpolation Formula. Here we discuss how to calculate the Interpolation Formula along with practical examples. We also provide a downloadable excel template. You may also look at the following articles to learn more –

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