Prescribing symmetric scalar curvature on \(S^2\). (Q701609)

The author deals with the so-called Nirenberg problem whether a given continuous function \(R\) on the standard sphere \(S^2\) can be the scalar curvature of some metric \(\tilde g\) which is pointwise conformal to the standard metric \(g_0\) on \(S^2\). If we set \(\tilde g = e^ug_0\), where \(u\) is a function on \(S^2\), the problem is equivalent to the solvability of the equation : \(-\Delta_{g_0}u + 2 - \text{Re}^u = 0\) on \(S^2\). It is known that there are some obstructions. The author gives some new results by seeking a solution of minimax type. For example, supposing that \(R\) is \(G\) symmetric and is constant on the set of fixed points on \(S^2\) under a subgroup \(G\) of \(O(3)\), it is proved that the equation is solvable if and only if \(R\) is positive somewhere.