linear element


linear element

[′lin·ē·ər ′el·ə·mənt] (mathematics) On a surface determined by equations x = ƒ(u, v), y = g (u, v), and z = h (u, v), the element of length ds given by ds 2= E du 2+ 2 F du dv + G dv 2, where E, F, and G are functions of u and v.