Experimental Reason, As If, What If?

Kant describes his use of Experimental Reason as "hypothetical", and as "regulative" (B 674 ff).  That use has also been characterized as 'as if', because it represents problematic propositions as if they were assertoric.  But, as the 'if' indicates, such problematic propositions are, properly, hypotheses, ergo the classification of their use as 'hypothetical'.  Now, as Kant recognizes, the formulation of an hypothesis originates as a response to an inquiry, i. e. to the "questions" (B xiii) of the experimenter.  Hence, his 'as if' reasoning is grounded in the 'what if?' of Experimental Reason.