# How to find regions that satisfy this inequality?

1. I am new to Mathematica and would like to find the set $$\{ (x,y) \in \mathbb{R}^2: (3x+y\exp(xy))(x-a) + (6y + x \exp(xy))(y-b) < 0 \}$$ for some constants $a$ and $b$. How can I do this? Added: Is the set empty when a=-1.0643 and b=0.150?
2. My actual question may be more difficult. For this function $f:\mathbb{R}^2 \to \mathbb{R}$, defined as $$f(x,y) := (3x+y\exp(xy))(x-a) + (6y + x \exp(xy))(y-b)$$ I would like to know its range $f(\mathbb{R}^2)$, or better yet $f(\mathbb{R}^2 - \{(a,b)\})$, or as close as possible. Can it be done in Mathematica as well?
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Is the set Finite? If so use the function FindInstance or use Solve or NSolve: reference.wolfram.com/mathematica/ref/… If the set is not finite, then please clarify what you mean by "finding the set". –  Searke Mar 13 '12 at 21:47
@Searke: I have no idea if the set is finite, or empty. That is part of my questions too. –  Tim Mar 13 '12 at 21:48
Can you describe what you would like to do as you would do it by hand on a chalkboard or with a different piece of software? –  Searke Mar 13 '12 at 21:53
If you are asking me how I do it by hand, I can tell you I will be stuck. If you are asking me why I want to know the result, my part 2 explains that, I think. –  Tim Mar 13 '12 at 21:59
Please also include the expressions in correct Mathematica syntax. It is appreciated if you include formatted math for readability, but it is important to also have directly copyable code. –  Szabolcs Mar 14 '12 at 5:59

Here is a method that is, unfortunately, impractical. But it sometimes gives results if you are patient.

isEmpty[a_?NumericQ, b_?NumericQ] := Module[{finst},
finst =
FindInstance[(3*x + y Exp[x*y])*(x \[Minus] a) + (6*y +
x*Exp[x*y])*(y \[Minus] b) < 0, {x, y}];
If[ListQ[finst],
If[Length[finst] == 0, True, False]
, \$Failed]
]

In[306]:= isEmpty[1, 3]

Out[306]= False


Here is a start on a method that uses contpur plotting. One must settle for a finite range on {x,y} for this; I use -+10 for both.

isEmpty2[a_?NumericQ, b_?NumericQ] := Module[{cplot},
cplot =
ContourPlot[(3*x + y Exp[x*y])*(x \[Minus] a) + (6*y +
x*Exp[x*y])*(y \[Minus] b) == 0, {x, -10, 10}, {y, -10, 10},
ContourShading -> False, Frame -> None]
]


It just gives a picture but i guess those better versed in Mathematica's Graphics might be able to extract at True/False therefrom. It would of course not be a guaranteed resutl, since plotting uses numeric approximation methods.

It gives a nice result for a=-4, b=-1.

--- edit ---

A comment asks about a specific set of inputs for {a,b}. Not one to duck such a test, I'll show a result with FindRoot. Here we find an {x,y} pair for which the expression of interest is negative (equal to -0.2), by setting y first to 0. I did this because the contour plot indicated there was a negative region in that general vicinity.

In[339]:= FindRoot[((3*x + y Exp[x*y])*(x - a) + (6*y +
x*Exp[x*y])*(y - b) /. {a -> -1.0643, b -> -.15,
y -> 0.}) == -.2, {x, .1}]

Out[339]= {x -> -0.0634401}


--- end edit ---

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Thanks! Is the set empty when a=-1.0643 and b=0.150? –  Tim Mar 13 '12 at 22:09
@Tim No, not empty. isEmpty2[1.0643, .15] indicates a small ovaline contour. Or something. (I don't suppose "ovaline" is a word.) –  Daniel Lichtblau Mar 13 '12 at 22:12
@Daniel: a is negative. If it is nonempty, could you give an element of the set? –  Tim Mar 13 '12 at 22:13
@Tim see edited response. –  Daniel Lichtblau Mar 13 '12 at 22:24
@DanielLichtblau: Thanks! (a is negative and b positive). May I ask what "In[306]:= isEmpty[1, 3]" and "Out[306]= False" mean? Is the first one run the function isEmpty and return the false, true or failed value to the variable In[306]? What does 306 mean in both? –  Tim Mar 13 '12 at 22:38

To get an indication of the region where your function is negative you could use RegionPlot. For example

ineq[x_, y_, a_, b_] :=
((3 x + y Exp[x y]) (x - a) + (6 y + x Exp[x y]) (y - b))

Manipulate[
Show[RegionPlot[ineq[x, y, a, b] < 0, {x, -8, 20}, {y, -5, 20},
ImagePadding -> 20, PlotPoints -> 30]],
{a, 0, 10},
{b, 0, 10}]


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