so I am working on this research paper: https://docdro.id/sZsZiYL Basically, the authors use a so-called Yee grid in order to discretize Maxwell's equations for computational purposes. In the paper, there is a mention of an integration formula that will be applied to the Maxwell-Faraday equation, namely: $\oint_{\Gamma_S} \vec{E} \cdot \vec{dl} = -\iint_{S_\Gamma} \frac{\partial \vec{B}}{\partial t} \cdot \vec{ds}$ In the paper you find the following grid setup for the integration of the E field: [![Integration contour][1]][1] Now the discretized integral of the left-hand side of our Maxwell-Faraday is given by: [![Formula][2]][2] which they describe in the paper as **first-order integration formula** [![enter image description here][3]][3] My questions to the respectable members in here are: 1. what do they mean by the first-order integration formula? does it have a more contemporary name? 2. What is the deal with the big Os? what do they represent? Many thanks for considering my request. PS: 1. I have already went throw the internet to have a reliable definition of the formula, but it was in vain. 2. The ds in the paper designates a contour and not an area, I just went with *l* since it makes more sense to me. [1]: https://i.sstatic.net/UCAjE.png [2]: https://i.sstatic.net/F4HZk.png [3]: https://i.sstatic.net/VJTjt.png