b/a is given as sqrt 2/ 2
so b = sqrt 2
a = 2
c^2 = a^2 + b^2
c^2 = 6
c = sqrt 6
then since c - a = 1 (given ...becuase the focus is at 3 the vertex is at 4)
so c = a + 1
find a a is to c as a is to (a+1)
2 / sqrt6 = a / (a+1)
a sqrt 6 = 2a + 2
a ( sqrt6 -2) = 2
a = 2 / ( sqrt6-2) rationalaize multiply numerator and denominator by - sqrt6 -2
= (-4 -2 sqrt 6 ) / ( 4 -6)
a = 2 +- sqrt 6 this is the distanc from the center to the vertex at 4
vertex then becomes 4 + ( 2+ sqrt6 ) = 6 + sqrt 6 <====== the x coordinate of the center !