# incrmape
> Compute the [mean absolute percentage error][mean-absolute-percentage-error] (MAPE) incrementally.
The [mean absolute percentage error][mean-absolute-percentage-error] is defined as
where `f_i` is the forecast value and `a_i` is the actual value.
## Usage
```javascript
var incrmape = require( '@stdlib/stats/incr/mape' );
```
#### incrmape()
Returns an accumulator `function` which incrementally computes the [mean absolute percentage error][mean-absolute-percentage-error].
```javascript
var accumulator = incrmape();
```
#### accumulator( \[f, a] )
If provided input values `f` and `a`, the accumulator function returns an updated [mean absolute percentage error][mean-absolute-percentage-error]. If not provided input values `f` and `a`, the accumulator function returns the current [mean absolute percentage error][mean-absolute-percentage-error].
```javascript
var accumulator = incrmape();
var m = accumulator( 2.0, 3.0 );
// returns ~33.33
m = accumulator( 1.0, 4.0 );
// returns ~54.17
m = accumulator( 3.0, 5.0 );
// returns ~49.44
m = accumulator();
// returns ~49.44
```
## Notes
- Input values are **not** type checked. If provided `NaN` or a value which, when used in computations, results in `NaN`, the accumulated value is `NaN` for **all** future invocations. If non-numeric inputs are possible, you are advised to type check and handle accordingly **before** passing the value to the accumulator function.
- **Warning**: the [mean absolute percentage error][mean-absolute-percentage-error] has several shortcomings:
- The measure is **not** suitable for intermittent demand patterns (i.e., when `a_i` is `0`).
- The [mean absolute percentage error][mean-absolute-percentage-error] is not symmetrical, as the measure cannot exceed 100% for forecasts which are too "low" and has no limit for forecasts which are too "high".
- When used to compare the accuracy of forecast models (e.g., predicting demand), the measure is biased toward forecasts which are too low.
## Examples
```javascript
var randu = require( '@stdlib/random/base/randu' );
var incrmape = require( '@stdlib/stats/incr/mape' );
var accumulator;
var v1;
var v2;
var i;
// Initialize an accumulator:
accumulator = incrmape();
// For each simulated datum, update the mean absolute percentage error...
for ( i = 0; i < 100; i++ ) {
v1 = ( randu()*100.0 ) + 50.0;
v2 = ( randu()*100.0 ) + 50.0;
accumulator( v1, v2 );
}
console.log( accumulator() );
```
[mean-absolute-percentage-error]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mean_absolute_percentage_error
