Interpoliert

Interpoliert is the past participle of interpolieren and describes something that has been estimated or inserted within a sequence, text, or data set. The term is used across several fields and shares its root with interpolation, which denotes the broader process of estimating unknown values within a known range. The word originates from Latin interpolare, meaning to insert between.

In textual criticism and philology, interpolation refers to additions or alterations made to a manuscript or text that were not part of the original wording. Such interpolations can be glosses, explanations, or later insertions by scribes or editors. They may influence the perceived meaning or authenticity of a text and are a central concern when trying to reconstruct an original form.

In mathematics and data analysis, interpolation describes the estimation of unknown values within the range of a discrete data set. When data points are connected by a model or function, values at intermediate positions can be inferred; data produced by this method are described as interpoliert. Common methods include linear interpolation, polynomial interpolation, and spline interpolation. Extrapolation, by contrast, estimates outside the known range and carries higher uncertainty.

In computer graphics and signal processing, interpolation is used to resample signals or images, increase resolution, or reconstruct missing samples. Algorithms range from simple nearest-neighbor to higher-order methods such as bilinear, bicubic, and various splines. The choice of method affects smoothness, artifacts, and fidelity to the original data.

Limitations include assumptions about smoothness or monotonicity and the potential to introduce artifacts, especially with sparse or noisy data. Interpolation is a mathematical tool to infer plausible values within a known domain and not a substitute for actual measurements.