 over the elements. That
is, for any elements <code>a</code>, <code>b</code>, and <code>c</code>, the following conditions must
hold:</p>

<ul><li><code>areEquivalent(a, a)</code> is always <code>true</code>. (Reflexivity)</li><li><code>areEquivalent(a, b)</code> implies <code>areEquivalent(b, a)</code>. (Symmetry)</li><li>If <code>areEquivalent(a, b)</code> and <code>areEquivalent(b, c)</code> are both <code>true</code>, then
<code>areEquivalent(a, c)</code> is also <code>true</code>. (Transitivity)</li></