# What is Stokes' Theorem

1. Jul 23, 2014

### Staff: Admin

Definition/Summary

Stokes' Theorem (sometimes called the "Generalized Stokes' Theorem") is a theorem pertaining to integration of differential forms in differential geometry that vastly generalizes several theorems in analysis and calculus. Simply stated, it says that the integral of the exterior derivative of a differential form over an orientable manifold is equivalent to the integral of the differential form over the boundary of that manifold.

Equations

Let $\alpha$ be a differential form on an orientable manifold $M$. Then,
$$\int\limits_M \, d\alpha = \int\limits_{\partial M} \alpha .$$

Extended explanation

Many theorems from calculus and analysis are actually specific cases of Stokes' Theorem. For example, consider the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, in the form $\int_{a}^{b}f^\prime(x) \, dx = f(b)-f(a)$. If we write it in the form $\int\limits_{[a,b]} \, df = \int\limits_{\partial[a,b]}f$, the relation clearly becomes a special case of Stokes' Theorem.

The Divergence Theorem and Green's Theorem are also special cases.

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