Final answer:
To evaluate the natural logarithm ln e^(5), we use the fact that the natural logarithm and exponential functions are inverse functions. This simplifies to ln e^x = x, hence the answer is 5, a whole number.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks for the evaluation of the natural logarithm of the expression ln e^(5). The key to solving this is understanding that the natural logarithm (ln) and the exponential function (e^x) are inverse functions. This implies that when you take the natural logarithm of an exponential function with base e, the two functions cancel out, leaving you with the exponent. This adheres to the identity ln e^x = x.
Using this identity, we can directly evaluate the given expression as follows:
ln e^(5) = 5
The solution is simply the exponent of the e, which is 5. This result is already in its simplest form, which is a whole number.