Final answer:
Completing the square is the method used to solve the equation when a is greater than 1.
Step-by-step explanation:
The method used to solve the equation when a is greater than 1 is called completing the square. This method involves manipulating the equation to create a perfect square trinomial.
- Start with the quadratic equation in the form ax² + bx + c = 0.
- Divide the entire equation by a to make the coefficient of x² equal to 1.
- Take half of the coefficient of x and square it. Add this value to both sides of the equation.
- Factor the trinomial on the left side of the equation as a perfect square.
- Take the square root of both sides to solve for x.
The resulting equation in vertex form is y = a(x - h)² + k, where (h, k) represents the coordinates of the vertex.