On the existence of symmetric minimizers

Abstract

In this note we revisit a less known symmetrization method for functions with respect to a topological group $G$, which we call $G$-averaging. We note that, although quite non-technical in nature, this method yields $G$-invariant minimizers of functionals satisfying some relaxed convexity properties. We give an abstract theorem and show how it can be applied to the $p$-Laplace and polyharmonic Poisson problem in order to construct symmetric solutions. We also pose some open problems and explore further possibilities where the method of $G$-averaging could be applied to.