An equivalent exponent will produce the same result as the other exponent.
5^3 is equal to 125. The power can be rewritten to any equation that equals 3. One example is as follows:
[tex]\boxed{5^{(2+1)}} = 5^3 = 5 \cdot 5 \cdot 5 = 125[/tex]
The operation in parentheses is worked out first, so the exponent will stay equivalent to 5^3.