An integral along a curve. Say a curve C is parametrized by r(t) where a ≤ t ≤ b. For a scalar function f, defined on C, we define the line integral
where s denotes arc length. It is independent of the parametrization. If f represents the density of a wire in the shape of C, then the line integral would equal the mass of the wire.
For a vector function F, defined on C, we define the line integral
which equals the work done by F along C. It is independent of the parametrization up to sign but changes sign if the orientation of the parametrization is reversed.
Line integrals are also called path integrals, particularly in complex analysis.