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:
![\boxed{5^((2+1))} = 5^3 = 5 \cdot 5 \cdot 5 = 125](https://img.qammunity.org/2019/formulas/mathematics/middle-school/6l2goq1dmct85cla1e4hhswpv2il4vt1ii.png)
The operation in parentheses is worked out first, so the exponent will stay equivalent to 5^3.