Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2008 / ii / Paper 3 / 23H / a / Solution

For an oriented surface with unit normal $N$, the Gauss map sends $p$ to $N(p)\in S^2$. The shape operator is $-dN$ on the tangent plane; its eigenvalues are the principal curvatures $k_1,k_2$. The Gaussian curvature is $K=k_1{k}_2$ and the mean curvature is $H=(k_1+k_2)/2$. Reversing orientation reverses both principal curvatures and $H$, but preserves $K$. The Theorema Egregium says that Gaussian curvature is determined by the first fundamental form, so is invariant under local isometries.