# DS for line integral

1. Oct 1, 2013

### Gauss M.D.

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

Say I have a line integral which I have simplified to:

$\int\int x+y dS$

Over some surface S, let's say 5x^2 + 3y^2 = 4 or something. Having arrived at this step, how do I determine dS? The formulas and methods we've been taught doesn't really lead to this step all that often but I'd like to know a general approach for determining dS when it is in this form.

2. Relevant equations

3. The attempt at a solution

2. Oct 1, 2013

### szynkasz

If you have $dS$ it is rather surface integral, not line one.

3. Oct 1, 2013

### Staff: Mentor

Here's a discussion on surface integrals:

Last edited by a moderator: Sep 25, 2014
4. Oct 1, 2013

### LCKurtz

You parameterize the surface with two parameters, say $u$ and $v$. So you have$$\vec R(u,v) =\langle x(u,v), y(u,v), z(u,v)\rangle$$Then express your integral in terms of $u$ and $v$ with $dS = |\vec R_u \times \vec R_v|dudv$ with appropriate $u,v$ limits.

In your example you could let $z$ be itself, solve the surface equation for $x$ in terms of $y$ and use $z$ and $y$ for your parameters. The actual integral for your example, which I'm guessing you just made up, might get ugly. If your example was circular instead of elliptical you might use cylindrical coordinates $z,\theta$ for your parameters.