*       equivalent(x, z)} is also true (<i>transitive</i> property)
   * </ul>
   *
   * <p>Note that all calls to {@code equivalent(x, y)} are expected to return the same result as
   * long as neither {@code x} nor {@code y} is modified.
   */
  public final boolean equivalent(@CheckForNull T a, @CheckForNull T b) {
    if (a == b) {
      return true;
    }
    if (a == null || b == null) {