AI engineering glossary · Feature engineering data prep
What is interpolation?
Interpolation (also called Linear interpolation): Estimating missing values between known points, most simply by drawing a straight line between the neighbours. It suits smooth, ordered data such as time series, but uses future values, which can leak information if done before splitting.
Interpolation: an example
With sales of 100 on Monday and 140 on Wednesday, linear interpolation fills Tuesday as 120.
Related terms
More Feature engineering data prep terms
- IQR method
- Iterative imputation
- K-fold target encoding
- KNN imputation
- Kurtosis
- Label encoding
- Lag feature
- Last observation carried forward
Where you learn it
Interpolation is part of the AI Engineering Program, which teaches it with notes, a hands-on lab and an exam. The first lesson is free.