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AP Calculus BC Practice Quiz: Confirming Continuity over an Interval

Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026

Test your understanding with short quizzes. This quiz has 9 questions to check your progress.

Question 1 of 9

On which interval is the function f(x) = 3x³ - 5x + 7 continuous?

All Questions (9)

On which interval is the function f(x) = 3x³ - 5x + 7 continuous?

A) (-∞, ∞)

B) (0, ∞)

C) (-5, 7)

D) The function is not continuous anywhere.

Correct Answer: A

The function f(x) is a polynomial. According to the provided content, polynomial functions are continuous on all points in their domains. The domain of any polynomial is all real numbers, (-∞, ∞). Therefore, the function is continuous on (-∞, ∞). [cite: 1396]

The function g(x) = (x + 2) / (x - 4) is continuous on which of the following intervals?

A) (-∞, ∞)

B) (-∞, 4) U (4, ∞)

C) (-∞, -2) U (-2, ∞)

D) [4, ∞)

Correct Answer: B

The function g(x) is a rational function. Rational functions are continuous at all points in their domains. The domain of a rational function excludes values that make the denominator zero. Here, the denominator is zero when x - 4 = 0, or x = 4. Therefore, the function is continuous on its domain, which is all real numbers except x = 4, expressed as (-∞, 4) U (4, ∞). [cite: 1391, 1396]

What condition must be met for a function f(x) to be considered continuous on the interval [a, b]?

A) The function must be continuous only at x = a and x = b.

B) The function's graph must be a straight line over the interval.

C) The function must be continuous at each point in the interval [a, b].

D) The function must be a polynomial.

Correct Answer: C

The definition of continuity on an interval states that a function is continuous on an interval if it is continuous at each point within that interval. [cite: 1394]

Determine the interval over which the function h(x) = ln(x - 5) is continuous.

A) (-∞, ∞)

B) (-∞, 5)

C) (5, ∞)

D) [5, ∞)

Correct Answer: C

The function h(x) is a logarithmic function. Logarithmic functions are continuous at all points in their domains. The domain of ln(u) requires the argument u to be positive. For h(x) = ln(x - 5), we must have x - 5 > 0, which means x > 5. Therefore, the interval of continuity is (5, ∞). [cite: 1389, 1396]

Which of the following functions is continuous on the interval (-∞, ∞)?

A) f(x) = tan(x)

B) f(x) = 1/x

C) f(x) = sin(x)

D) f(x) = ln(x)

Correct Answer: C

According to the provided content, trigonometric functions are continuous on their domains. The domain of sin(x) is all real numbers, (-∞, ∞). The function tan(x) has discontinuities where cos(x) = 0. The function 1/x is a rational function with a discontinuity at x = 0. The function ln(x) is a logarithmic function with a domain of (0, ∞). Only sin(x) is continuous on (-∞, ∞). [cite: 1396]

On which interval is the function f(x) = √(9 - x²) continuous?

A) (-∞, ∞)

B) (-3, 3)

C) [3, ∞)

D) [-3, 3]

Correct Answer: D

The function f(x) is a power function (specifically, a square root). Power functions are continuous on their domains. For the square root function, the expression inside the radical must be non-negative. Therefore, we must have 9 - x² ≥ 0. This inequality holds when -3 ≤ x ≤ 3. The interval of continuity is [-3, 3]. [cite: 1390, 1396]

Identify the interval of continuity for the function k(x) = 5e^(2x) + 1.

A) (0, ∞)

B) (-∞, 0)

C) (-∞, ∞)

D) (1, ∞)

Correct Answer: C

The function k(x) is an exponential function. Exponential functions are continuous at all points in their domains. The domain of e^(2x) is all real numbers. Therefore, the function k(x) is continuous on the interval (-∞, ∞). [cite: 1396]

The function f(x) = (x + 1) / (x² - x - 6) is discontinuous at which of the following x-values?

A) x = -1 only

B) x = -2 and x = 3

C) x = 2 and x = -3

D) x = -1, x = -2, and x = 3

Correct Answer: B

A rational function is continuous everywhere in its domain, and it is discontinuous where its denominator is zero. To find the points of discontinuity, we set the denominator equal to zero: x² - x - 6 = 0. Factoring the quadratic gives (x - 3)(x + 2) = 0. The solutions are x = 3 and x = -2. These are the x-values where the function is discontinuous. [cite: 1391, 1396]

Based on the properties of common functions, which function type is guaranteed to be continuous on the interval (-∞, ∞)?

A) Rational functions

B) Logarithmic functions

C) Polynomial functions

D) Power functions with non-integer exponents

Correct Answer: C

Polynomial functions have a domain of all real numbers, (-∞, ∞), and are continuous on their entire domain. Rational functions can have discontinuities where the denominator is zero. Logarithmic functions have restricted domains (e.g., ln(x) is only defined for x > 0). Power functions like √(x) also have restricted domains. Therefore, only polynomial functions are guaranteed to be continuous on (-∞, ∞). [cite: 1396]