identify the initial amount in the following exponential function y = 1.1(1.22)

Answer 1

The way you have it, y is a constant
it will always be y = 1.1(1.22) = 1.342 , initial, last or anywhere in between

Did you mean something like y = 1.1(1.22)^t ?
Usually for these, t ≥ 0
In that case if t = 0
y = 1.1(1.22)^0 = 1.1<===== initial amount