Exact solutions of nonlinear conformally invariant integral equations in \(\mathbf R^3\) (Q557595)

A necessary condition for an integral equation \[ u(x)= {1\over 8\pi} \int_{\mathbb{R}^3}|x- y|u^{-q}(y)\,dy\quad\text{in }\mathbb{R}^3\qquad (q> 0) \] appearing in conformal geometry to have a \(C^4\) entire positive solution is that \(q= 7\). If it is the case then this solution is of the form \(u(x)= c(1+|x|^2)^{1/2}\) up to dilation and translations (where \(c\) is a constant).