Best way to test if atoms are equivalent is stick something like Br on the two atoms in question. If the name of molecule changes, the two atoms are not equivalent. For example, lets say you have butane and wanted to see if the hydrogens on carbon 2 and 3 are equivalent or not. Replace one hydrogen on carbon number 2 and you will have 2-bromobutane. Now replace one hydrogen on carbon 3 and you still have 2-bromobutane. Since the name of the molecules is the same, the hydrogens are equivlanet.