Yes, the function y = 5^x is an exponential function.The initial value of an exponential function is the value of y when x = 0. In this case, when x = 0, y = 5^0 = 1. Therefore, the initial value of the function is 1.The base of an exponential function is the constant factor by which y changes when x increases by 1. In this case, when x increases by 1, y is multiplied by 5. Therefore, the base of the function is 5.