Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Oxford / 2021 / Prelims / Mathematics IV / 3 / c / i / Solution

Let $\mathbf{r}(u,v)$ parametrize $S$. Then $A\mathbf{r}$ parametrizes its image, with tangent vectors $A{\mathbf{r}}_u$ and $A{\mathbf{r}}_v$. An orthogonal matrix preserves dot products, so the Lagrange identity for the cross product gives, for any $\mathbf{p},\mathbf{q}$,The area element of a surface is therefore the same pointwise before and after applying $A$. Integrating provesThis includes orthogonal transformations with determinant $-1$: reversal of orientation does not affect the Euclidean norm in the surface area formula.