1. A surface integral is one in which a function is integrated or evaluated along a
surface in higher-dimensional space. The form of a (two-dimensional) surface integral is embedded in a higher-dimensional space. 2. When you have the want to add a collection of values connected with points on a surface, you should utilize surface integrals. 3. The two-dimensional equivalent of line integrals. You may also think of it as a technique to apply double integrals to curved surfaces.