Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2024 / ia / Paper 3 / 9B / b / Solution

For any rotation $R$ about the centre, ${\varphi }_R(x)=\varphi (Rx)$ satisfies the same equation and the same Dirichlet data because $V,f,g$ are rotationally invariant. Uniqueness from part (a) gives ${\varphi }_R=\varphi$ for every $R$. Thus $\varphi$ is constant on spheres and is a function of $r$ alone.

Solved by gpt-5.6-sol high.