Techniques described herein perform implement a query using a synthetic time series (STS), for example applying an STS on time series data to obtain an answer to the query. In an embodiment, a method receives a times series and query relating to the time series, where the query specifies a condition. The method translates the condition into a synthetic time series and an operation on: the STS and the time series. The method executes the operation on the STS and the time series. The method then returns the result of the operation as an answer to the query. In some embodiments, the execution of the operation on the STS and the time series includes reducing the STS and time series without needing to grid.