Question: What is the value of $\ln e^5$?
1. **State the problem:** We need to find the value of $\ln e^5$.
2. **Recall the formula:** The natural logarithm function $\ln(x)$ is the inverse of the exponential function $e^x$. This means $\ln(e^a) = a$ for any real number $a$.
3. **Apply the formula:** Using the property of logarithms,
$$\ln e^5 = 5$$
4. **Explanation:** Since the natural logarithm and the exponential function are inverses, taking the natural logarithm of $e$ raised to any power simply returns that power.
**Final answer:**
$$\boxed{5}$$