The base for this "exponential" function is sufficiently close to 1 that the function looks linear. The value corresponding to x=0 seems to be 1.00. Rounded to tenths, it is 1.0.
Cross multiplying fractions helps us to see if numbers are equal, and if not, which is bigger and which is smaller. But that is not its only use. Cross multiplying fractions can help us to solve for unknown variables in fractions.